Background: Elderly patients immobilised after femoral neck fracture are at an increased risk of cardiopulmonary complications and delayed recovery because of reduced lung capacity and impaired blood pressure control. Comparative evidence on breathing-based rehabilitation remains limited. Aims: The aim is to compare the effects of Liuzijue Qigong and box breathing on inspiratory capacity and blood pressure in elderly patients after femoral neck fracture immobilisation. Materials and Methods: This retrospective comparative study analysed the medical records of 40 elderly patients (aged 65–85 years) who were immobilised after femoral neck fractures. The patients were assigned to a Liuzijue Qigong group ( n = 20) or a box-breathing group ( n = 20). Both interventions were performed for 4 weeks (20 min per session, twice daily, 6 days per week). Inspiratory capacity was measured using a volume-oriented incentive spirometer, and blood pressure was measured using a digital sphygmomanometer. Measurements were recorded at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Data were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in inspiratory capacity and blood pressure over time ( P < 0.001). At 4 weeks, the Liuzijue Qigong group demonstrated greater improvement in inspiratory capacity (1790.00 ± 181.08 mL vs. 1246.50 ± 120.23 mL; P < 0.001) and larger reductions in systolic (129.70 ± 3.13 mmHg vs. 133.60 ± 3.21 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (80.95 ± 1.88 mmHg vs. 84.90 ± 1.94 mmHg) compared to the box breathing group ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Participants in the Liuzijue Qigong intervention showed greater improvements in inspiratory capacity and blood pressure regulation than those performing box breathing.
Munusamy et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
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