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N. Mshunqane1, Y. Rautenbach1, J. Becker1, C. Fourie1, L. Gwala1, T. Mphali1, W. Maluleke1, M. Visser1
1University of Pretoria, Physiotherapy, Pretoria, South Africa
Background: Surgical procedures are commonly used in global health care and it is estimated that about two hundred and thirty-four million patients are operated on per annum. Surgeries may be associated with dysfunction of the respiratory system thereby leading to mortality after major abdominal surgery. Physiotherapy modalities consisting of the active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) as well as the flutter device have been used separately by physiotherapists to enhance recovery following surgery.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the influence of a flutter and ACBT on vital capacity (VC) post abdominal surgery.
Methods: A prospective comparative interventional study design was used. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups, group A (receiving ACBT) and group B (receiving flutter) for maximum of three days. A total of 50 patients between the ages of 18 to 70 years were included in the study. Slow vital capacity was measured pre-treatment and. again after three days. Mobilisation was standardised for all patients.
Results: The pilot study was conducted in two phases.
Phase 1: mean age = 51.75 ± 15.5 years and a male to female ratio of 1:3. Group A increased VC on average by 0.28 ± 0.19 (p=0.29), and Group B had an increase in VC by 0.05 ± 0.39 (p=0.90). Group A increased TE by a mean of 0.75 cm ± 0.35 (p= 0.21) whilst group B decreased TE by a mean of 0.40cm ± 0.57 (p=0.50).
Phase2: mean age of 54.5 ± 16.98 years and a male to female ratio of 3:1. All participants' results showed a mean increase in VC of 0.21 ± 0.48 units (p=0.44) after physiotherapy treatment. Group A and Group B showed a mean increase in VC of 0.28 ± 0.78 (p=0.71) and 0.15 ± 0.23 (p= 0.52), respectively. Group A increased TE by a mean of 2.60 ± 0.57 cm (p=0.1) whilst group B increased TE by 0.75 ± 1.06 cm (p=0.5). TE increased with a mean of 1.55 ± 1.69 cm overall after physiotherapy treatment. Both groups had clear lung sounds after three days of physiotherapy.
Phase 1: mean age = 51.75 ± 15.5 years and a male to female ratio of 1:3. Group A increased VC on average by 0.28 ± 0.19 (p=0.29), and Group B had an increase in VC by 0.05 ± 0.39 (p=0.90). Group A increased TE by a mean of 0.75 cm ± 0.35 (p= 0.21) whilst group B decreased TE by a mean of 0.40cm ± 0.57 (p=0.50).
Phase2: mean age of 54.5 ± 16.98 years and a male to female ratio of 3:1. All participants' results showed a mean increase in VC of 0.21 ± 0.48 units (p=0.44) after physiotherapy treatment. Group A and Group B showed a mean increase in VC of 0.28 ± 0.78 (p=0.71) and 0.15 ± 0.23 (p= 0.52), respectively. Group A increased TE by a mean of 2.60 ± 0.57 cm (p=0.1) whilst group B increased TE by 0.75 ± 1.06 cm (p=0.5). TE increased with a mean of 1.55 ± 1.69 cm overall after physiotherapy treatment. Both groups had clear lung sounds after three days of physiotherapy.
Conclusion(s): Both the flutter device and ACBT showed similar effects on VC in patients who underwent abdominal surgery, however the improvement in VC was not statistically significant.
Implications: Flutter and ACBT can be used to improve lung volumes in patients who underwent abdominal surgeries.
Funding, acknowledgements: Self funded
Keywords: Abdominal surgery, Vital capacity, Chest physiotherapy
Topic: Cardiorespiratory
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Yes
Committee: University of Pretoria Ethics Committee
Ethics number: 748/2019
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
