| dc.description.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. | en_US |
