Deep Breathing Exercises Performed 2 Months Following Cardiac Surgery

313 patients following cardiac surgery (n=159 in intervention group, n=154 in control group)

Home-based deep breathing exercises consisting of 30 slow deep breaths performed with a positive expiratory pressure device (10-15 cm H2O), 5 times a day, during the first 2 months after surgery

No breathing exercises after discharge

Lung function measurements, oxygen saturation, thoracic excursion mobility, subjective perception of breathing and pain, patient-perceived quality of recovery (40-Item Quality of Recovery score), health-related quality of life (36-Item Short Form Health Survey), and self-reported respiratory tract infection/pneumonia and antibiotic treatmentsurrogate