Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns
Summary
Here, we present a protocol to assess two deep breathing patterns of natural and diaphragmatic breathing for their effectiveness and ease of execution. Fifteen participants were selected, utilizing an electrocardiograph and expired gas analyzer for measurement of the ventilatory parameters, together with visual assessment by video capture of thoracoabdominal movement.
Abstract
In this protocol, two deep breathing patterns were shown to 15 participants to determine an easy yet effective method of breathing exercise for future application in a clinical setting. The women in their twenties were seated comfortably in a chair with back support. They were fitted with an airtight mask connected to a gas analyzer. Three electrodes were placed on the chest connected to a wireless transmitter for relaying to the electrocardiograph. They executed a 5 min rest phase, followed by 5 min of deep breathing with a natural breathing pattern, terminating with a 5 min rest phase. This was followed by a 10 min intermission before commencing the second instruction phase of substituting the natural breathing pattern with the diaphragmatic breathing pattern. Simultaneously, the following took place: a) continuous collection, measurement and analysis of the expired gas to assess the ventilatory parameters on a breath-by-breath basis; b) measurement of the heart rate by an electrocardiograph; and c) videotaping of the participant’s thoracoabdominal movement from a lateral aspect. From the video capture, the investigators carried out visual observation of the fast-forward motion-images followed by classification of the breathing patterns, confirming that the participants had carried out the method of deep breathing as instructed. The amount of oxygen uptake revealed that, during deep breathing, the work of breathing decreased. The results from the expired minute ventilation, respiration rate and tidal volume confirmed increased ventilatory efficiency for deep breathing with the natural breathing pattern compared to that with the diaphragmatic breathing pattern. This protocol suggests a suitable method of instruction for assessing deep breathing exercises on the basis of oxygen consumption, ventilatory parameters, and chest wall excursion.
Introduction
The cardiopulmonary physical therapist normally treats the patient according to the individual's needs and requirements. However, in general, the patient is left to carry out preoperative deep breathing exercise by him/herself. Therefore, it is imperative to find a simple and effective instruction method for the patient to carry out deep breathing exercises1.
Diaphragmatic breathing is such a breathing exercise and one method of breathing control2,3. The therapeutic outcome of this method includes a reduction in work of breathing and improvement in efficiency of breathing2,3, and this brings about an increase in tidal volume, resulting in a reduction in respiratory rate. However, some researchers have pointed out that diaphragmatic breathing exercise may cause asynchronous and paradoxical motion of the rib cage due to abdominal excursions in some patients4,5. In such cases, the use of a patient's natural breathing pattern may be efficacious. Regarding the question of deep breathing being effective as a means of a reduction in the mechanical work of breathing and improvement of ventilatory efficiency, it may be useful to quantify ventilatory parameters by the use of a gas analyzer.
It is well known that cardiopulmonary exercise testing is carried out using a gas analyzer6,7. Some investigators8,9 have reported measurement for diaphragmatic breathing with a gas analyzer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Jones et al.8 compared diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, and a combination of both, with that of spontaneous breathing. During these three methods of breathing, oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory rate (f) were measured, which showed that a higher resting VO2 may be explained by the increased mechanical work of breathing8. Ito et al.9 examined the immediate effect of diaphragmatic breathing or respiratory muscle stretch on VO2, f and tidal volume (VT). We may expect from the results of the aforementioned studies that similar evidence could be obtained by application of similar breathing exercises to confirm an effective deep breathing method of instruction.
This protocol describes the method for measurement of ventilatory parameters and chest wall excursion in deep breathing with two breathing patterns, together with their results and analysis. Continuous and quantitative sampling of ventilatory parameters can measure breathing precisely compared to alternative techniques. VO2 obtained in this protocol can be regarded as an indicator of work of breathing8. Further, f, VT, and minute ventilation are related to ventilatory efficiency. Information on breathing pattern can also be obtained from these ventilator parameters plus inspiratory and expiratory time. This protocol also involves assessment of chest wall excursion through video capture, which corresponds to observation by a physical therapist of the patient's chest wall excursion during breathing exercise. The overall goal of this study was to find a viable and efficient method of deep breathing exercise based on analysis of oxygen consumption, ventilatory parameters, and chest wall excursion.
Protocol
Representative Results
Discussion
By the use of this protocol, effective instruction for deep breathing can be examined through oxygen consumption, ventilatory parameters, and chest wall excursion. The participants had a mean age of 21.6 years, mean body mass of 51.9 kg, mean height of 159.3 cm and a body mass index of 20.5 kg/m2. No incentives were offered to partake in this protocol. There are three critical steps within the protocol. First, concerning the control of food intake, the ratio of carbon dioxide output to oxygen uptake provi…
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Dr. Shimpachiro Ogiwara, former Professor at the University of Kanazawa, and Mrs. Sandra M. Ogiwara, CSP (UK), BScPT (C), for English editing of the manuscript.
Materials
| Expired gas analyzer | Minato Medical Science, Osaka, Japan | AE-300S | |
| Expired gas analyzing software | Minato Medical Science, Osaka, Japan | AT for Windows | |
| Medical telemetry sensor for electrocardiograph | Nihon Kohden, Tokyo, Japan | BSM-2401 | |
| Spreadsheet program | Microsoft, https://www.microsoft.com/ja-jp | Excel | |
| SPSS Statistical Software | IBM, https://www.ibm.com/jp-ja/analytics/spss-statistics-software | Version 23.0 | |
| Video camera | Sony, Tokyo, Japan | DCR-SR 100 | |
| Video editing software 1 | Sony, Tokyo, Japan | PlayMemories Home | |
| Video editing software 2 | Adobe, https://www.adobe.com/jp/ | Premiere Elements 11 |
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