Article

Postoperative breathing exercises are recommended to cardiac surgery
patients. Instructions concerning how long patients should continue exercises
after discharge vary, and the significance of treatment needs to be determined.
Our aim was to assess the effects of home-based deep breathing exercises
performed with a positive expiratory pressure device for 2 months following
cardiac surgery. The study design was a prospective, single-blinded,
parallel-group, randomized trial. Patients performing breathing exercises 2
months after cardiac surgery (n = 159) were compared with a control group (n =
154) performing no breathing exercises after discharge. The intervention
consisted of 30 slow deep breaths performed with a positive expiratory pressure
device (10-15 cm H2O), 5 times a day, during the first 2 months after surgery.
The outcomes were lung function measurements, oxygen saturation, thoracic
excursion mobility, subjective perception of breathing and pain,
patient-perceived quality of recovery (40-Item Quality of Recovery score),
health-related quality of life (36-Item Short Form Health Survey), and
self-reported respiratory tract infection/pneumonia and antibiotic treatment.
RESULTS: Two months postoperatively, the patients had significantly reduced lung
function, with a mean decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second to 93 +/-
12% (P< .001) of preoperative values. Oxygenation had returned to preoperative
values, and 5 of 8 aspects in the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were improved
compared with preoperative values (P< .01). There were no significant differences
between the groups in any of the measured outcomes. CONCLUSION: No significant
differences in lung function, subjective perceptions, or quality of life were
found between patients performing home-based deep breathing exercises and control
patients 2 months after cardiac surgery.

Langue : ANGLAIS