Effects of active cycle of breathing techniques(ACBT)on ventilatory function in adult heart failure patients at the University Teaching Hospital Lusaka Zambia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure patients experience mild, moderate to severe pulmonary dysfunction demonstrated in alterations of FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio. About 50% of severe heart failure patients have restrictive lung disease resulting in dyspnea, exercise intolerance and poor quality of life. Active cycle for breathing techniques (ACBT) is a cycle of breathing exercises traditionally used by physiotherapists in the management of respiratory dysfunction. A study was undertaken to evaluate the physiological effects of ACBT on ventilatory function in stable heart failure (HF) patients following a 12 weeks training program. METHOD: This was a prospective cohort study. Twenty three participants (16 female and 7 male) were recruited at baseline. The mean age was 54.0 years (range 25-77 years). Participants were taught and performed the ACBT on three days of the week for 12 weeks. FVC, FEV1 FEV1/FVC and quality of life were assessed at baseline, six and twelve weeks post intervention using a spirometer and the Minnesota questionnaire. RESULTS: The data generated from spirometry and the questionnaire was statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Although not statistically significant, there was an increase in the mean lung volume values which translated into improved quality of life at 6 and 12 weeks, FVC (p=0.70), FEV1 (p=0.70) and FEV1/FVC (p=0.43). The physical, emotional/ mental and socio-psychological factors of quality of life were statistically significant (p< 0.0001). CONCLUSION: ACBT exercises can affect lung volume and quality of life in heart failure patients and can therefore be used as an additional therapy to pharmacological intervention in HF patients to manage HF respiratory related symptoms in order to improve lung volumes, exercise tolerance and quality of life.