Older Adults (60 - 85 Years Old)
Conditions
Keywords
Multiple breathing training, Pulmonary function, Respiratory muscle strength, Chest Expansion, Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide
Brief summary
This study were to investigate the effects of multiple breathing training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, chest expansion, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), aerobic capacity, and dyspnea symptoms in older adults.
Detailed description
The study included 26 male and female older adults aged 60-75 years, who were divided into a control group (n = 13) that maintained usual daily activities and an experimental group (n = 13) that received multiple breathing training. The independent variable was multiple breathing training. Dependent variables included lung function (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, MVV), respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), chest expansion, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), aerobic capacity, and dyspnea assessment.
Interventions
OTHERMultiple breathing training
The multiple breathing training program consisted of five structured breathing exercises designed to improve inspiratory muscle strength, expiratory muscle strength, and breath control. Each exercise was performed for three sets, and the total training duration was approximately 40 minutes per session. The program included the following components: Inspiratory Muscle Training (PowerBreathe device): Participants performed resisted inhalation to strengthen the inspiratory muscles (10 repetitions per set). Expiratory Muscle Training (Balloon with control device): Participants exhaled into a balloon while maintaining pressure according to their measured maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (10 repetitions per set). Inspiratory Training (Tri-Flow device): Participants inhaled through the device to elevate and maintain the floating balls, promoting sustained inspiratory effort (10 repetitions per set). Expiratory Training (Windmill device): Participants exhaled to rotate the windmill, e
Sponsors
Chulalongkorn University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Older adults aged 60-75 years, both male and female. * Not regularly physically active (exercising fewer than 2 times per week) during the 6 months prior to the study. * Cooperative, without communication problems, and able to follow instructions from the trainer. * No history of cardiovascular disease and no respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc. * No hypertension, or if diagnosed with hypertension, it must be well controlled, with resting blood pressure not exceeding 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic. * Able to ambulate independently without assistance or assistive devices. * Willing to participate in the study and able to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Any unforeseen events preventing continued participation in the study, such as injury from an accident or illness. * Attendance of less than 80% of the training sessions (fewer than 19 out of 24 sessions, including the basic training period). * Withdrawal of consent or unwillingness to continue participation in the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Forced Vital Capacity; FVC | Change from Baseline FVC at 8 weeks. | Participants were seated in a chair and wore a nasal clip during the assessment. They first performed three cycles of slow, normal breathing, followed by a demonstration of forced inspiration and expiration, and then returned to normal breathing. |
| Forced Expiratory Volume in One second; FEV1 | Change from Baseline FEV1 at 8 weeks. | Participants were seated in a chair and wore a nasal clip during the assessment. They first performed three cycles of slow, normal breathing, followed by a demonstration of forced inspiration and expiration, and then returned to normal breathing. |
| Maximum Voluntary Ventilation; MVV | Change from Baseline MVV at 8 weeks. | Participants were instructed to breathe in and out as quickly and forcefully as possible for 15 seconds. |
| Maximal Inspiratory Pressure; MIP | Change from Baseline MIP at 8 weeks. | Participants were instructed to exhale fully to functional residual capacity (FRC), then place the mouthpiece securely and perform a maximal inspiratory effort sustained for 1-2 seconds. |
| Maximal expiratory pressure; MEP | Change from Baseline MEP at 8 weeks. | Participants inhaled fully to total lung capacity (TLC), maintained a tight seal on the mouthpiece, and then performed a maximal expiratory effort for 1-2 seconds. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chest expansion | Change from Baseline Chest expansion at 8 weeks. | Participants were instructed to sit upright with their hands placed on their hips. They were then asked to perform a maximal exhalation followed by a maximal inhalation. The researcher measured chest expansion using a measuring tape at the following anatomical levels: upper chest: at the axillary line, midway between the 2nd and 4th ribs, middle chest: at the level of the xiphoid process, midway between the 4th and 6th ribs, and lower chest: at the level of the 10th rib. |
| Fraction exhaled nitric oxide; FeNO | Change from Baseline FeNO at 8 weeks. | FeNO Monitor (BedFont, UK) was used to measure the FeNO. The participants inhaled deeply for 2 to 3 seconds before exhaling slowly, which normally took 10 seconds. |
| Six minutes walk test (6MWT) | Change from Baseline 6MWT at 8 weeks. | They were instructed to walk back and forth along a 30-meter walkway for six minutes at their usual, comfortable pace. The researcher marked the course every 3 meters and placed traffic cones at the turning points. Heart rate was monitored during the test, and the level of perceived exertion was assessed every minute. The total distance walked in six minutes was recorded for analysis. |
| The University of California, SanDiego Shorthess of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ) | Change from Baseline SOBQ at 8 weeks. | Participants completed a six-item dyspnea questionnaire before and after the intervention. Each item was rated on a 0-5 scale, with a maximum total score of 30 points. Scores were interpreted as follows: 0-10 indicated no to mild breathlessness, 11-20 indicated mild to moderate breathlessness, and 21-30 indicated moderate to severe breathlessness. |
Countries
Thailand
Outcome results
None listed