Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis constitutes the obstructive
lung disease group which classically exhibits expiratory airflow restriction and dynamic hyperinflation,
leading to symptoms including dyspnoea, reduced exercise capacity, endurance and restrains in quality
of life. Traditional expiratory muscle training methods have had variable efficacies in resolving air
trapping leading to hyperinflation. This research sought to identify the feasibility and efficacy of
diaphragmatic aspiration technique in diaphragmatic functioning by mitigating dynamic hyperinflation
and enhancing respiratory outcomes in patients with Chronic obstructive lung disorders (COPD). This
single blinded pilot investigation constituted of a single-group pre-post intervention design and was
executed over a duration of 8 weeks. 20 subjects with moderate to severe obstructive lung disease were
recruited using purposive sampling. The included subjects underwent an 8-week intervention using the
diaphragmatic aspiration technique, including guided diaphragmatic breathing, postural modifications,
and abdominal contraction. Feasibility outcomes encompassed recruitment rates, adherence, and patientsatisfaction, whereas secondary outcomes, including inspiratory capacity (IC), dynamic hyperinflation
(measured by inspiratory reserve volume), exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test, 6MWT), and quality
of life (St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire), were evaluated both pre- and post-intervention. Data
were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, with effect
sizes computed for clinical outcomes. The research effectively enrolled 20 individuals, achieving a 90%
adherence rate and favourable comments about the technique's acceptability. Notable improvements
were seen in clinical outcomes. Inspiratory capacity augmented by 14.8% (p < 0.01), whereas dynamic
hyperinflation, assessed by inspiratory reserve volume, decreased by 11.5% (p < 0.05). Exercise
tolerance, evaluated by the 6MWT, increased by 20.4% (p < 0.01), and quality of life metrics, assessed
using the SGRQ, showed substantial improvement (p < 0.001). No adverse occurrences were
documented. This pilot investigation revealed that enhancing the diaphragmatic aspiration method
significantly increased Inspiratory Capacity (IC) and Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) in COPD
patients (p < 0.0001). The results showed its potential beneficial supplement in pulmonary
rehabilitation, enhancing respiratory mechanics and ascending of the diaphragmatic contour, therefore
reducing dynamic hyperinflation.
Key words: Dynamic Hyperinflation, Diaphragm, Aspiration Technique, COPD, Air trapping,
Inspiratory Capacity
Publication date: 15/03/2025
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2025/March/MS_IJBPAS_2025_MARCH_SPCL_1072.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2025/14.3.1072
