Effectiveness of a mobile respiratory trainer (AiroFit PRO ™ ) in ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Airofit PRO™, a mobile respiratory trainer device, on pulmonary function, chest expansion, and functional status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to a conventional pursed-lip breathing (PLB) exercise program.Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 patients with AS who were allocated into two groups: the mobile device exercise (MDE) group (n = 36), using Airofit PRO™, and the PLB control group (n = 34). The participants underwent a 12-week exercise regimen consisting of three 6-minute daily sessions. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25–75% (FEF25–75), peak expiratory flow (PEF), chest expansion, and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) scores, were measured pre- and post-intervention.Results Significant improvements were observed in the MDE group compared to the PLB group. Male patients in the MDE group exhibited statistically significant improvements in FEV1, FVC, FEF25–75, and PEF (p < 0.05). Female patients in the MDE group demonstrated significant improvements in PFT parameters and chest expansion (p < 0.05). No significant improvement was observed in the PLB group. The compliance rates were similar between the groups, and no significant adverse effects were reported.Conclusion The Airofit PRO™ respiratory trainer significantly improved pulmonary function parameters and chest expansion in AS patients , demonstrating greater effectiveness compared to conventional PLB exercises. These findings suggest that mobile respiratory trainers may provide a promising adjunctive therapeutic option for the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with AS.
Source: Annals of Medicine
Institution: Usak University
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,557
OpenAlex ID: W4415915834