Effect of a Conical-PEP Mask on Exercise in Subjects With COPD.

Background: Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) is a major pathophysiology of COPD that is directly related to dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) might reduce DH and dyspnea during exercise, but at present, there is insufficient evidence to conclude whether it is beneficial for DH, dyspnea, and exercise capacity in COPD.

Methods: A randomized crossover trial with concealed allocation was conducted in 37 moderate to very severe subjects with COPD (34 males, age 66.

The effects of slow loaded breathing training on exercise blood pressure in isolated systolic hypertension.

Objectives: Slow loaded breathing training has been shown to reduce resting blood pressure (BP) in isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), but it is not known whether this also reduces their exaggerated BP responses to exercise.

Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial with block allocation stratified by sex. Twenty ISH patients (68 ± 5 yrs, 11 males) were randomized with one group undertaking 8-weeks training with slow loaded breathing (SLB: 25% maximum inspiratory pressure, 6 breaths per minute, 60 breaths every day) or deep breathing control (CON), with 8 weeks follow-up.

The immediate effects of breathing with oscillated inspiratory and expiratory airflows on secretion clearance in intubated patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

Study Design: A prospective, randomized crossover trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of incentive spirometry with oscillation (OIS) and positive expiratory pressure with oscillation (OPEP) to promote secretion clearance in intubated patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

Setting: Spinal cord unit, tertiary care hospital, North East Thailand.

Positive expiratory pressure breathing speeds recovery of postexercise dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: Faster recovery of postexertional dyspnea might enable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to undertake more physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether breathing with a positive expiratory load to reduce dynamic hyperinflation (DH) would hasten recovery.

Methods: Thirteen male COPD patients (59 ± 7 years; Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease Stages II and III) took part in a randomized cross-over trial in which they exercised by self-paced spot marching.

Incidence and risk factors of pulmonary atelectasis in mechanically ventilated trauma patients in ICU: a prospective study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to obtain information about the incidence and risk factors for pulmonary atelectasis in mechanically ventilated patients in the trauma ICU (TMICU). Pulmonary atelectasis is a common complication leading to serious lung dysfunction in patients in the TMICU and early identification of patients at risk is important for their effective management.

Methods: All trauma patients admitted to the TMICU with mechanical ventilation for more than 1 day were included in a prospective 12-month study.

Design and Function of a New Conical Positive Expiratory Pressure Device to Be Used During Exercise.

Background: A flow-dependent conical positive expiratory pressure (PEP) resistor incorporated into a oronasal mask was developed, which might reduce dyspnea and dynamic hyperinflation and increase exercise endurance for patients with COPD. We reported here the flow-pressure relationships and the safety and suitability of the device when used by healthy young and older subjects.

Methods: The flow-pressure relationships were determined for a range of resistors with different orifice diameters and cone lengths.

Comparison of breathing patterns, pressure, volume, and flow characteristics of three breathing techniques to encourage lung inflation in healthy older people.

: It is important to encourage lung inflation to prevent postsurgical pulmonary complications and we compared three breathing techniques that place different emphasis on inspiratory flow and breath-holding. : Fourteen healthy older people (69 ± 3.6 yrs) used diaphragmatic breathing (DB), Triflo II (TF), and a water pressure threshold device (BreatheMAX; BM) in a randomized and balanced crossover design.

The effect of slow-loaded breathing training on the blood pressure response to handgrip exercise in patients with isolated systolic hypertension.

Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is the most common form of hypertension in older people. It is characterized by increased resting systolic blood pressure (sBP) and increased sBP in response to exercise. It has previously been shown that slow breathing training reduces resting sBP, and the objective of the present study was to determine whether it also reduced the blood pressure response to static handgrip exercise.

Breathing Training for Older Patients with Controlled Isolated Systolic Hypertension.

Introduction: Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is very common but difficult to manage with conventional medication. We investigated whether slow breathing training, with and without an inspiratory load, could reduce the resting blood pressure of older well-managed ISH patients.

Methods: Thirty ISH patients (66 ± 4 yr) were randomized into loaded breathing (six breaths per min, 18 cm H2O), unloaded breathing (six breaths per min, no load), or control (normal breathing) groups.

Older Women with Controlled Isolated Systolic Hypertension: Exercise and Blood Pressure.

Introduction: Exercise is generally regarded as beneficial for health, but the consequent increases in blood pressure might pose a risk for hypertensive subjects. The purpose of this study was to determine blood pressure responses to dynamic exercise and sustained handgrip in patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) who were stable on medication.

Methods: Nineteen female ISH patients (66 ± 5 yr) and 19 age-matched normotensive (NT) female controls undertook a 5-min cycle exercise (60% heart rate reserve [HRR]) and a 2-min handgrip exercise (30% maximum voluntary contraction).