An experimental study to check immediate effect of stacked breathing exercise on peak expiratory flow rate in cardiac surgery patient-pilot study

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the immediate effect of Stacked Breathing Exercise (SBE) on Peak Expiratory Flow (PEFR) in cardiac surgery patient. Methodology: After obtaining an ethical committee clearance, a pilot study is carried out on 11 subjects with age 40- 70yrs planned for cardiac surgery through the mediastinal approach. After obtaining written consent and screening of patient for the inclusion, Patients were treated with a Stacked Breathing Exercise (SBE) on Post-Operative Day (POD) 1, 2 and 3 twice daily. Pre-exercise and post-exercise values for PEFR was collected in six treatment session as IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB (A=Morning session, B=Afternoon session and I, II, III was POD-1, 2 and 3 respectively). Result: Total of 11 patients followed by cardiac surgery are analyzed for outcome PEFR. Data was analyzed in term of the mean difference. There is a statistically significant change seen in PEFR value comparing IA vs. IIIA, IB vs. IIIB and IA vs. IIIB (mean difference -86.364, -73.636 and -106.36). There is net 29.77% improvement in PEFR value seen at the end of the sixth (IIB) treatment session over pre-exercise value at IA. Discussion: Statistically significant improvement seen in PEFR value when comparing pre-exercise value to postexercise with every session immediately after the intervention. Our result is best supported with research article carried out by, Luciana Chiavegato. He said, Breath Stacking as an intervention in non-cardiac thoracic surgery patients able to show significant improvement in the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). We conducted this study to have to check on, whether it is also effective in cardiac surgery patients? In our study, we found 27% gain over before exercise values of PEFR (in l/ min) after stacked breathing exercise in cardiac surgery patients. Conclusion: It is concluded that stacked breathing exercise is significantly effective in improving PEFR. Hence can be an effective tool to help in improving lung function.