Abstract

Purpose. To assess the effect of lung boost exerciser on lung compliance, aerobic functional capacity and quality of life in elderly. Materials and methods: sixty subjects of both sexes (31 women and 29 men) participated in this study with age group from 70­80 years. Subjects assigned randomly into two equal groups. Group A received a conventional physical therapy programme for the chest in form of diaphragmatic breathing exercise, pursed-lip breathing exercise and upper limb Exercises connected with respiration, while Group B received Lung boost exerciser in addition to conventional physical therapy programme for the chest. Received three sessions a week for the next 12 weeks. The treatment was applied for 12 weeks, three sessions per week. Variables were assessed before and after intervention for each subject and statistically analyzed: (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) were assessed by spirometry), diaphragmatic excursion (was assessed by percussion), quality of life (was assessed by quality of life score (QoL) and aerobic functional capacity (was assessed by six-minute walk test). Results: statistical analysis using mixed MANOVA showed that there was no significant difference in all parameters between both groups before treatment (p > 0.05). Comparison between groups after treatment revealed a significant increase in FVC, FEV1, MIP, and 6MWD of the group B compared with that of the group A (p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant decrease in QoL score (p < 0.001) and a significant increase in diaphragmatic excursion of the group B compared with that of group A after treatment. Conclusions: Lung boost exerciser is an effective modality that can be added to traditional physical therapy protocols and revealed a positive impact on lung compliance and quality of life in elderly.

Key words:

elderly, respiratory exercises, lung boost exerciser, spirometry