Effect of Respiratory Muscle Stretching on Pulmonary Function and Balance and Trunk Control Ability in Patients with Stroke

Effect of Respiratory Muscle Stretching on Pulmonary Function and Balance and Trunk Control Ability in Patients with Stroke

Purpose: The current study aimed to examine the effects of respiratory muscle stretching on pulmonary function and balance and trunk control ability in patients with hemiplegic stroke. Methods: The participants were diagnosed with hemiplegic stroke. They were assigned to either the intervention group, which included those who performed respiratory muscle stretching, and the control group, which included those who did not perform respiratory muscle stretching. All participants performed a general therapeutic exercise. The intervention group performed respiratory muscle stretching in addition to the general therapeutic exercise 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Pulmonary function was assessed using forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Balance and trunk control ability was evaluated using the Trunk impairment scale (TIS) and Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Results: The intervention group presented with significant improvements in FVC, FEV1, and PEF after 8 weeks of exercise (p<.05). However, the control group did not (p>.05). The TUG and TIS parameters indicated significant functional improvement in the intervention and control groups. The intervention group had a higher pulmonary function than the control group. However, among all parameters, only PEF significantly differed between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: Respiratory muscle stretching has a positive effect on pulmonary function in patients with stroke.