Physiother Res Int. 2025 Apr;30(2):e70058. doi: 10.1002/pri.70058.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with chronic respiratory disease (CRD) often rely on neck muscles for breathing and contribute to poor posture, which alters the length-tension relationship and efficiency of these muscles. Upper body flexibility and good posture can potentiate pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) protocol. The present study aims to evaluate if the addition of upper body flexibility exercises to PR benefits patients in terms of respiratory muscle performance, upper limb endurance, and daily activities.
METHODS: The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethical committee before the participant enrollment. Sixty individuals with a diagnosis of chronic respiratory disease were recruited and randomly allocated to a control and experimental group. The control group received a conventional PR protocol, whereas the experimental group received upper body flexibility exercises in addition to PR for 4 weeks. Respiratory muscle performance measured as maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), upper limb endurance (6-Minute Pegboard and Rings Test), and activities of daily living (Barthel Index-Dyspnea) were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks for both the groups.
RESULTS: Baseline values were similar for both groups. Group A had scores of 55.1 ± 6.19 for PImax and 372.0 ± 41.80 for the 6-Minute Pegboard and Rings Test, while Group B scored 57.7 ± 6.49 and 394.0 ± 36.99, respectively (p < 0.05), showing greater improvements in Group B. Both groups also showed similar improvements in the Barthel Index-Dyspnea, with Group A scoring 2.61 ± 1.87 and Group B scoring 2.86 ± 1.92 at the end of 4 weeks.
DISCUSSION: The results of the study can be attributed to improved respiratory mechanics, muscle efficiency, and reduced perceived exertion during activities. Hence, respiratory physiotherapists should incorporate upper body flexibility training in PR for better outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registry India (CTRI/2023/09/057917).
PMID:40272048 | DOI:10.1002/pri.70058
