Does sitting posture in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease really matter? An analysis of 2 sitting postures and their effect [corrected] on pulmonary function.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes that occur in pulmonary function when postural changes in the sagittal plane are made in a seated position in patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Fourteen patients diagnosed with COPD participated in this study. Standard spirometric measurements (minute ventilation, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second) were taken for each patient in each of 2 sitting postures: slumped and upright.