Innovation
Exercises exist that can help maintain lung capacity, making it easier to keep your lungs healthy and get your body the oxygen it needs.
Evaluation System
A total of 10 studies were included in this meta-analysis of which 8 studies had both IMT and aerobic exercise. Pooled data for patients who performed preoperative breathing exercises, compared to controls, demonstrated a decrease in LOS with a pooled mean difference (PMD) of -3.44 days (95%CI -4.14 to -2.75, p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis also demonstrated LOS was further reduced when breathing exercises were combined with aerobic exercise (Chi2 = 4.85 and p = 0.03). Preoperative breathing exercises reduces pneumonia and PPCs with OR of 0.37 (95%CI 0.18 to 0.75, p < 0.01) and 0.37 (95%CI 0.21 to 0.65, p < 0.01), respectively. An increase in 6MWD of 20.2 m was noted in those performing breathing exercises (95%CI 9.12 to 31.21, p < 0.01). No significant differences were noted in FEV1, mortality nor HRQoL.
Assessment
With alternate nostril breathing, a practice that comes from yoga, you inhale through one nostril while closing the other, then switch and repeat. Try to do this slowly and smoothly while staying aware of your breath.
