Abstract
Background: In hemiplegia after stroke the functionality of the respiratory system may be compromised by the presence of a restrictive breathing pattern. Objectives: Compare the effect of two techniques of lung expansion on the volumes of the rib cage, respiratory pattern, velocity of shortening of the diaphragm (Vdi) and volumetric differences between the hemithorax of hemiplegic subjects. Methods: A randomized clinical trial of crossover study was conducted with 10 volunteers, divided into two groups: incentive spirometry (GIE) and breath stacking (GBS). The subjects were evaluated by optoelectronic plethysmography in two moments: during quiet breathing and during the execution of five maneuvers of each technique. Results: We observed an increase in the total volume of the rib cage and its compartments during implementation of the techniques in the two groups (GBS = 278% and GIE = 313%) with greater volume contribution of the non hemiplegic side in the GIE (p <0.05). There was an increase in the respiratory cycle (GBS = 380% and GIE = 211%), (GBS = 786% and GIE = 360%), expiratory time (GBS = 109% and GIE = 105%) e and the relationship inspiratory time/ total time (GBS = 66% and GIE = 48%) in both groups (p<0.05). The Vdi was lower (p <0.05) in GBS. Conclusions: The results suggest that the BS technique reduces the asymmetry of the rib cage and optimizes the performance of the respiratory system during maintenance of lung volumes compared to the technique of incentive spirometry in subjects with hemiplegia following stroke.
- © 2014 ERS