Work

Efficacy of incentive spirometer and diaphragmatic breathing exercise on the alteration of arterial blood gas measures in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting: A randomized comparative trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The incidence of lung-related issues after undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is notably significant. Initiating lung exercises soon after heart surgery plays a crucial role in averting these issues. The purpose of this research was to examine how the use of an incentive spirometer (IS) and diaphragmatic breathing exercises (DBE) impacts changes in arterial blood gas (ABG) levels. METHODS: The study was based on a 2-arm, parallel-group, randomized comparative design. In this study, 30 individuals who had CABG surgery were selected based on specific criteria and randomly divided into the IS group and the DBE group. Each group received targeted chest physiotherapy; the IS Group had an IS, and the DBE Group had DBE. Key ABG parameters, such as blood pH, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), and partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), were evaluated using an ABG analyzer. Measurements were taken initially on the first day after extubation and then again on the second day post-extubation. All statistical analyses were conducted with a maintained significance threshold of 95%. RESULTS: The results showed no significant differences between-group and within-group comparisons for PH, PaO2, and PaCO2 outcomes. However, the IS group patients showed a trend in the increase in PaO2 levels and a decrease in PaCO2 levels compared to those in the DBE group. CONCLUSION: Despite not revealing statistically significant differences in the alteration of ABG measures between groups, the current study observed minimal improvements in ABG measures in the IS Group compared to the DBE Group. Therefore, this study suggests that, in addition to conventional chest physiotherapy, using an IS might be superior to DBE in altering ABG measures in patients with post-CABG. Nonetheless, we may use both intervention and conventional chest physiotherapy postoperatively as a prophylactic regime.

Source: Medicine

DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000045538