• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.63-73
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• 2020

Purpose: To investigate breathing-related changes in the balance ability of healthy adults. Methods: The participants were 36 healthy adults in their 20s and 30s. All participants were trained in three breathing (neutral, thoracic, and abdominal) methods one week before measurements. We used AccuSway to measure each participant's balance ability, using each breathing technique, in two postures (bipedal and unipedal). Results: During the bipedal balance task, abdominal breathing produced significant increases in path length and sway velocity. Abdominal breathing resulted in significant changes in sample entropy at the anteroposterior location compared with neutral breathing (p<.05). In the normalized anteroposterior location, there were significant changes in backward movement during thoracic and abdominal breathing compared with those during neutral breathing (p<.05). During the unipedal balance task, path length and sway velocity increased significantly during voluntary breathing compared with those during neutral breathing (p<.05). There was a significant change in backward movement when abdominal breathing-compared with neutral breathing-was used in the normalized anteroposterior location (p<.05). In the normalized left-right location, there was a significant shift to the right during thoracic breathing compared with that during neutral breathing (p<.05). Conclusion: Compared with neutral breathing, altered voluntary breathing patterns affect balance in healthy adults. Our results indicated that that static balance was more affected by abdominal breathing than by neutral breathing. Future studies should examine variables such as the breathing volume, rhythm, and method.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.278-292
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• 2023

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effects of thoracic joint mobilization and breathing exercises on diaphragmatic thickness, chest expansion, respiratory function, and endurance in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: The study included 24 chronic stroke patients who were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (12 people) performed 15 minutes of thoracic joint mobility exercises and 15 minutes of breathing exercises, three times a week for 6 weeks, 30 minutes each time. The control group (12 people) received 15 minutes of conservative physical therapy and 15 minutes of breathing exercises, 3 times a week for 6 weeks, 30 minutes per session, the same as the experimental group. The experimental and control groups performed the same breathing exercises. To assess training effectiveness, changes in diaphragm thickness, chest expansion, respiratory function, and endurance were measured. Results: As a result, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in diaphragm thickness, chest expansion, and respiratory function. The endurance mode also displayed significant enhancement (p<0.05), a finding consistent with the control group. However, the experimental group displayed more substantial improvements in non-affected diaphragm thickness and thoracic expansion compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Drawing from these findings, breathing exercise which combine thoracic mobilization, will be actively utilized in addition to physical therapy interventions in clinical trials as an effective intervention method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises on craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles in patients with rotator cuff injury. METHODS: This study enrolled 19 patients with rotator cuff injury, and ten and nine of the patients were randomly placed in abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercise groups, respectively. After pain treatment in each group, breathing exercise was conducted thrice a week for four weeks. The patients were recorded by using a digital camera and Image J (version 1.46, National Institutes of Health, USA), an angle measurement program, was used to analyze changes in the craniovertebral angle, cranial rotation angle, and sagittal shoulder posture. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the craniovertebral angle were found in both the abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercise groups (p<.05). A significant difference in cranial rotation angle was found in the thoracic expansion exercise group only (p<.05). No statistically significant differences in sagittal shoulder posture were found in both groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Although abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises did not effectively change sagittal shoulder posture, the exercises were effective in improving craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles. Therefore, abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises are suggested as effective exercise programs for forward head posture.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2020

To investigate the relationship between breathing pattern disorder and pain in patients with chronic low back pain(CLBP). One hundred four patients were measured the End-tidal CO₂(EtCO₂) and respiration rate(RR) using capnography. Also, The Breathing-hold time(BHT), Nijmegen Questionnaire(NQ), and Thoracic excursion examinated. There was a significant correlation between EtCO₂ and BHT, thoracic excursion(r=.302, r=.281)(p<.01), and a low negative correlation with RR, VAS(r=-.253, -200)(p<.05). There was a significant correlation between NQ and RR(r=.237)(p<.05). There was a low correlation between thoracic excursion and VAS(r=-.370)(p<.01). There was a significant difference in the EtCO₂, RR, BHT, thoracic excursion, and VAS between the thoracic and diaphragm breathing pattern(p<.05). There were no significant differences in the NQ(p>.05). There was a correlation between EtCO₂ and BHT, thoracic excursion, RR, VAS in patients with CLBP. In addition, There was a correlation between RR and NQ, thoracic excursion, and VAS. As a result, it was found that there is a close relationship between breathing pattern disorder and pain. There was a significant difference in the EtCO₂ level, RR, BHT, thoracic excursion and VAS value in the comparison of thoracic breathing pattern and diaphragm breathing pattern. This is a meaningful result of suggesting a breathing pattern treatment approach in the rehabilitation and pain management of chronic low back pain patients in clinical practice.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Purpose : To investigate the relationship between breathing pattern disorder and joint position error (JPE) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods : Thirty nine patients with CLBP participated. End-tidal $CO_2$ and respiration rate (RR) were measured using a capnography. Breathing-hold time (BHT) and Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ) were investigated. Thoracic excursion was measured with a cloth tape measurement technique. Joint position error were measured using a small laser point mounted on a lightweight headband. they were asked to relocate the head, after the neck movement on the horizontal plane. Pearson 's test was used for correlation analysis between respiratory variables and JPE in patients with CLBP. Independent t-test was used to verify the difference between thoracic and diaphragm breathing pattern in patients with CLBP. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results : There was a significant correlation between JPE (LR) and JPE (RR, EX) (r=.639, r=.813) (p<.001) and a low negative correlation with end-tidal $CO_2$ (r=-.357) (p<.05). There was a significant correlation between RR and JPE (EX) (r=.750) (p<.001). There was a low correlation between JPE (EX) and NQ (r=.333) (p<.05). There was a somewhat high negative correlation between NQ and thoracic excursion (r=-.528) (p<.001). There was a somewhat high negative correlation between thoracic excursion and JPE (LR, RR, EX) (r=-.470, r=-.484, r=-.602) (p<.001). There were no significant differences in the RR, BHT, NQ, and thoracic excursion between the thoracic and diaphragmatic breathing (p>.05). There was a significant difference in the JPE (EX), end - tidal $CO_2$, and VAS values between the thoracic and diaphragm breathing (p<.05). Conclusion : There was a correlation between JPE (EX) and NQ in patients with CLBP, and correlation between thoracic excursion and JPE (LR, RR, EX) and NQ. There was a significant difference in the JPE (EX), end-tidal $CO_2$ level, and VAS value in the comparison of thoracic breathing and diaphragm breathing. The results showed that breathing patterns and JPE were related to each other.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2015

Background: To evaluate the effect of thoracic mobility exercise and deep breathing exercise applied to stroke patients on pulmonary function. Methods: The subjects were divided into two group. Twenty-five patients with stroke were randomly assigned to DB (deep breathing exercise) group (n=13) and TM (combination of deep breathing exercise and thoracic mobility exercise) group (n=12). During four weeks, DB group were carried out deep breathing exercises for 5~10 minutes twice a day and TM Group were carried out deep breathing exercises for 5~10 minutes and thoracic mobility exercise for 20~30 minutes twice a day. All tests were completed before and after experiment. The pulmonary functions were measured by PowerBreathe K5 (Hab International Ltd, England) and tape measure respectively. For each case, the experimental data were obtained in 4 items; average of inspiratory load, inspiratory flow speed, inspiratory flow volume and chest expansion. Results: The results of this study were as follows: 1. In DB group, the statistically significants were shown on average of inspiratory flow speed, inspiratory flow volume and chest expansion (p<.05). 2. In TM group, the statistically significants were shown on all items (p<.05). 3. There was a statistically significant difference on all items between DB group and TM group (p<.05). Conclusions: The above results revealed that DB and TM group can be used to improve pulmonary function in stroke patients. In comparison of DB and TM group, TM group was more improved. In conclude, thoracic mobility exercise helped improving function of vital capacity and chest expansion in stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1393-1397
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combined respiratory physical therapy on respiratory function, spinal curve and spinal mobility for community-dwelling elderlies with restrictive lung diseases. In total, 10 patients participated in an 8-week intervention program of thoracic cage mobilization and breathing exercise in combination. The results of the study are as follows: for respiratory function, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity(FVC), and FEV1/FVC were significantly improved to $.30{\pm}0.31{\ell}$, $.46{\pm}.42{\ell}$, and $18.10{\pm}11.39%$, respectively (p<.05). For spinal curve, the thoracic curve and the lumbar curve were improved significantly to $-2.20{\pm}1.40^{\circ}$ and $-1.20{\pm}1.14^{\circ}$, respectively (p<.01). For spinal mobility, the thoracic flexion ($3.40{\pm}2.99^{\circ}$), thoracic extension ($3.50{\pm}1.43^{\circ}$), lumbar flexion ($4.50{\pm}4.74^{\circ}$), and lumbar extension($-1.50{\pm}1.84^{\circ}$) were all significantly improved (p<.05). These findings indicate that thoracic cage mobilization and breathing exercise in combination improve the respiratory function, spinal alignment, and spinal mobility in elderly people with restrictive lung diseases.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stabilization exercise and breathing exercise on the flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) and respiratory parameters in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods : We randomly allocated 30 chronic low back pain patients (CLBP) to a stabilization exercise (SE) group (n=15) and a breathing exercise (BE) group (n=15). FRP was measured using surface electromyography (SEMG). Thoracic excursion was measured with a cloth tape measurement technique. The SE group participated in a stabilization exercise program and the BE group participated in a breathing exercise program three times a week for 12 weeks. The data was analyzed using paired t-tests for comparisons of flexion relaxation ratio (FRR) and respiratory variables. Independent t-tests were used for comparison of inter-group FRR and respiratory variables. The significance level was set at .05. Results : FRP variables-ES FRR (Flex/MVF), ES FRR (Ext/MVF), MF FRR (Flex/MVF), and MF FRR (Ext/MVF) values-increased significantly after exercise in both the SE and BE groups (p<.05). The thoracic excursion measurements after exercise increased significantly in both groups (p<.001). VAS values decreased significantly in both groups (p<.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in FRP variables-ES FRR (Flex/MVF), ES FRR (Ext/MVF), MF FRR (Flex/MVF), and MF FRR (Ext/MVF)-or VAS values after exercise (p>.05). For thoracic excursion after exercise, the BE group was significantly higher than the SE group (p<.001). Conclusion : We found that FRP and respiratory variables increased significantly after SE and BE for 12 weeks in CLBP. Thoracic excursion-a respiratory variable-suggests that treatment was more effective in the BE group than the SE group.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2022

Background: Studies on the effect of abdominal or thoracic breathing therapy on sleep or blood oxygen concentration are still scarce. Purpose: This study was to examine the effect on blood oxygen saturation and pulse variability, changes in the severity of insomnia, changes in wakefulness before sleep, and dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes toward the Korean version of sleep in women in their 50s after healing with abdominal breathing and thoracic breathing. We investigated the effect. Methods: Subjects were investigated before and after the change of breathing (breathing) therapy for 12 weeks, 3 times a week, and 36 breaths perweek. Results: It wa evaluated respiratory healing as having no significance in the pulse rate change. However, oxygen saturation was significant in the experimental group, increasing to 93.60 SpO₂% before the respiratory rally and 96.5 SpO₂% after respiratory recovery (p < .002). In addition, the insomnia severity scale and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep significantly decreased after respiratory rally than before (p < .000). Conclusions: It evaluated that respiratory therapy for the subjects is beneficial to health as it is effective for insomnia, pulse, and oxygen saturation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2014

The aim of the study is to test a hypothesis that quasi-breath-hold (QBH) biofeedback improves the residual respiratory motion management in gated 3D thoracic MR imaging, reducing respiratory motion artifacts with insignificant acquisition time alteration. To test the hypothesis five healthy human subjects underwent two gated MR imaging studies based on a T2 weighted SPACE MR pulse sequence using a respiratory navigator of a 3T Siemens MRI: one under free breathing and the other under QBH biofeedback breathing. The QBH biofeedback system utilized the external marker position on the abdomen obtained with an RPM system (Real-time Position Management, Varian) to audio-visually guide a human subject for 2s breath-hold at 90% exhalation position in each respiratory cycle. The improvement in the upper liver breath-hold motion reproducibility within the gating window using the QBH biofeedback system has been assessed for a group of volunteers. We assessed the residual respiratory motion management within the gating window and respiratory motion artifacts in 3D thoracic MRI both with/without QBH biofeedback. In addition, the RMSE (root mean square error) of abdominal displacement has been investigated. The QBH biofeedback reduced the residual upper liver motion within the gating window during MR acquisitions (~6 minutes) compared to that for free breathing, resulting in the reduction of respiratory motion artifacts in lung and liver of gated 3D thoracic MR images. The abdominal motion reduction in the gated window was consistent with the residual motion reduction of the diaphragm with QBH biofeedback. Consequently, average RMSE (root mean square error) of abdominal displacement obtained from the RPM has been also reduced from 2.0 mm of free breathing to 0.7 mm of QBH biofeedback breathing over the entire cycle (67% reduction, p-value=0.02) and from 1.7 mm of free breathing to 0.7 mm of QBH biofeedback breathing in the gated window (58% reduction, p-value=0.14). The average baseline drift obtained using a linear fit was reduced from 5.5 mm/min with free breathing to 0.6 mm/min (89% reduction, p-value=0.017) with QBH biofeedback. The study demonstrated that the QBH biofeedback improved the upper liver breath-hold motion reproducibility during the gated 3D thoracic MR imaging. This system can provide clinically applicable motion management of the internal anatomy for gated medical imaging as well as gated radiotherapy.