Effect of glossopharyngeal versus diaphragmatic breathing exercise on pulmonary functions after pleural decortication surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Background and purpose Approximately 20% to 40% of patients who are hospitalized for pneumonia in the United States develop parapneumonic effusion, and 5% to 10% of them develop empyema. 30% need surgery to drain the pleural space. To compare the effects of glossopharyngeal versus diaphragmatic breathing exercises on pulmonary function following pleural decortication surgery. Material and methods Sixty adult women patients aged from 40 to 50 years old were recruited from Kasr Aini Hospital ICU. They were randomly assigned into three groups (A, B, C). All the groups received conventional chest techniques for 20 minutes, 2 times per day, 3 times per week, for 2 weeks. Group (A): (n=20) also received glossopharyngeal breathing technique; Group (B): (n=20) also received diaphragmatic breathing; and Group (C): (n=20) control group. Arterial blood gases( partial  hydrogen Pressures of oxygen;  Pressures carbon dioxide;  bicarbonate sodium;  O2 saturation) and ventilatory function (tidal volume, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory reserve volume) were assessed before and after the intervention. Results There was a significant improvement in both arterial blood gases and ventilator function in the Glossopharyngeal group (Group A) more than the other 2 groups (P= 0.003) Conclusion Our study outcomes exhibited that both glossopharyngeal and diaphragmatic breathing exercises played a vital role in enhancing pulmonary functions in patients after decortication. However, the glossopharyngeal group showed increased improvement in pulmonary functions compared with other groups.