Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns

Summary

Here, we present a protocol to assess two deep breathing patterns of natural and diaphragmatic breathing for their effectiveness and ease of execution. Fifteen participants were selected, utilizing an electrocardiograph and expired gas analyzer for measurement of the ventilatory parameters, together with visual assessment by video capture of thoracoabdominal movement.

Abstract

In this protocol, two deep breathing patterns were shown to 15 participants to determine an easy yet effective method of breathing exercise for future application in a clinical setting. The women in their twenties were seated comfortably in a chair with back support. They were fitted with an airtight mask connected to a gas analyzer. Three electrodes were placed on the chest connected to a wireless transmitter for relaying to the electrocardiograph. They executed a 5 min rest phase, followed by 5 min of deep breathing with a natural breathing pattern, terminating with a 5 min rest phase. This was followed by a 10 min intermission before commencing the second instruction phase of substituting the natural breathing pattern with the diaphragmatic breathing pattern. Simultaneously, the following took place: a) continuous collection, measurement and analysis of the expired gas to assess the ventilatory parameters on a breath-by-breath basis; b) measurement of the heart rate by an electrocardiograph; and c) videotaping of the participant’s thoracoabdominal movement from a lateral aspect. From the video capture, the investigators carried out visual observation of the fast-forward motion-images followed by classification of the breathing patterns, confirming that the participants had carried out the method of deep breathing as instructed. The amount of oxygen uptake revealed that, during deep breathing, the work of breathing decreased. The results from the expired minute ventilation, respiration rate and tidal volume confirmed increased ventilatory efficiency for deep breathing with the natural breathing pattern compared to that with the diaphragmatic breathing pattern. This protocol suggests a suitable method of instruction for assessing deep breathing exercises on the basis of oxygen consumption, ventilatory parameters, and chest wall excursion.

Introduction

The cardiopulmonary physical therapist normally treats the patient according to the individual's needs and requirements. However, in general, the patient is left to carry out preoperative deep breathing exercise by him/herself. Therefore, it is imperative to find a simple and effective instruction method for the patient to carry out deep breathing exercises¹.

Diaphragmatic breathing is such a breathing exercise and one method of breathing control^2,3. The therapeutic outcome of this method includes a reduction in work of breathing and improvement in effici....

Protocol

This protocol was in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The procedure was explained to all participants before commencement of the study.

1. Participant screening

1. Recruit 15 healthy women in their twenties through convenience sampling. Check medical history verbally. Exclude participants with cardiopulmonary disease.
2. Explain the procedure to the participant.
3. Ask the participant to refrain from eating and drinking 2 h prior to the commencement of the measurement and to bring a tight-fitting black shirt.

2. Procedure

1. Preparation ....

Results

The Ventilatory Parameters and Heart Rate
Based on the data (Figure 5), the NB and DB patterns were analyzed statistically (Figure 6 and Table 1). The f, V_T and Te were found to have a significant interaction (p<0.05, respectively). A significant decrease in the f was found for both the NB and DB patterns during deep breathing compared to the initial rest phases (p<0.05, respectively), and, during deep breat.......

Discussion

By the use of this protocol, effective instruction for deep breathing can be examined through oxygen consumption, ventilatory parameters, and chest wall excursion. The participants had a mean age of 21.6 years, mean body mass of 51.9 kg, mean height of 159.3 cm and a body mass index of 20.5 kg/m². No incentives were offered to partake in this protocol. There are three critical steps within the protocol. First, concerning the control of food intake, the ratio of carbon dioxide output to oxygen uptake provi.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Expired gas analyzer	Minato Medical Science, Osaka, Japan	AE-300S
Expired gas analyzing software	Minato Medical Science, Osaka, Japan	AT for Windows
Medical telemetry sensor for electrocardiograph	Nihon Kohden, Tokyo, Japan	BSM-2401
Spreadsheet program	Microsoft, https://www.microsoft.com/ja-jp	Excel
SPSS Statistical Software	IBM, https://www.ibm.com/jp-ja/analytics/spss-statistics-software	Version 23.0
Video camera	Sony, Tokyo, Japan	DCR-SR 100
Video editing software 1	Sony, Tokyo, Japan	PlayMemories Home
Video editing software 2	Adobe, https://www.adobe.com/jp/	Premiere Elements 11