IMPACT OF VOLUME-ORIENTED INCENTIVE SPIROMETRY ON INSPIRATORY HOLD VARIABLE OF PATIENTS WHO HAD INVASIVE THORACIC PROCEDURE

Abstract

Background: Patients who have had invasive thoracic procedures often experience a decrease in respiratory components which includes inspiratory hold capacity (IHC). This can lead to postoperative respiratory complications. Volume-oriented incentive spirometry (VOIS) is a breathing exercise that can improve respiratory function. However, there is limited research on the impact of VOIS on the inspiratory hold capacity of spontaneously breathing patients who have had invasive thoracic procedures.

Aim: To investigate the short-term impact of VOIS on inspiratory hold capacity (IHC) of patients who have had invasive thoracic procedures.

Materials and Methods: 12 patients who had undergone invasive thoracic surgery were purposively recruited for this study. The patients performed VOIS exercises as prescribed by the researchers (3 sets of 5 breaths with 1-minute rest between each set) for every 2 hours of awake period. Rest periods were given to prevent the participants from hyperventilating.

Results: Participants were of mean age 38.83 ± 18.11years, with 9 (75%) of them being male. There was a significant increase in IHC as well as incentive-inspired volume (IIV) following the administration of VOIS for two weeks. There was a significant positive correlation between IHC and IIV.

Conclusion: VOIS is effective in increasing IHC as well as IIV in patients following thoracic surgery. By promoting sustained maximum inspiration, incentive spirometry aids in the recruitment of alveoli, improving lung volumes and overall pulmonary function, and can be effective in reducing postoperative pulmonary complications.