Effect Of Breather On Pulmonary And Physical Function In Post Stroke Survivors

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in globally and particularly in low and middle-income countries, and this burden is increasing.

The expected spontaneous biological recovery follows the "proportional recovery rule" - most patients recover 70% of their impaired motor or verbal function during the first three months after stroke however, 90% of them have residual deficit.

Stroke patients may experience a reduction of up to 50% in respiratory function when compared to age- and gender-matched norms. The reduction in respiratory function can lead to decreased endurance, dyspnea and increased sedentary behaviour, as well as an elevated risk of recurrent stroke. The reduction in respiratory function may also cause aspiration, leading to pneumonia. Previous research showed that pneumonia was an independent risk factor for mortality and a poor prognosis in stroke patients. Research also showed that a reduction in respiratory muscle and abdominal muscle strength contributed to pulmonary and respiratory dysfunction following a stroke.

After a stroke, the respiratory center and related motor pathways can directly decrease respiratory muscle strength and subsequently induce a change in breathing patterns. As a result, pneumonia, pulmonary ventilation disorders, lung injury, lung ischemia reperfusion injury, decreased pulmonary compliance, abnormal posture, and obstructive sleep apnea can occur following a stroke. Thus, pulmonary rehabilitation is critical to reducing these complications. The main forms of pulmonary rehabilitation include exercise training, respiratory muscle training, oxygen therapy, noninvasive ventilation, nutrition support, social psychological support, and health education.

The inspiratory muscles can be specifically trained, with improvement of both muscle strength and endurance by using the breather device.

As result utilizing the breather may help stroke patients recover quickly and avoid respiratory complication.

Inclusion criteria

• Sixty patients were selected from both sexes.Their age were from 50 to 65 years old
• All patients were medically stable.
• All patients had the ability to understand and follow simple verbal instructions.
• All patients were in subacute stage from about 3 to 6 months post lesion.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with severe acute illness.
• Chronic unstable pulmonary and/or cardiac disease.
• Impaired level of consciousness and evidence of gross cognitive problems.
• Patients undergoes chemotherapy.
• Active hemoptysis, untreated pneumothorax, recent esophageal surgery.
• Recent oral, facial or skull trauma / surgery, acute sinusitis, epistaxis.
• Smokers.
• Any oral dysfunction that interfere with using the breather.
• Un controlled BP systole more than180 or diastole more than 90.