Mouth Mask versus Pursed Lip Breathing on Ventilatory Functions and Dyspnea Index in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a rising health problem. Dyspnea causes reduction of functional status and quality of life in it. Pursed Lips Breathing (PLB) and mouth mask use to reduce dyspnea and improve quality of life. Aim of Study: To compare the effect of mouth mask versus pursed lip breathing on ventilatory functions and dyspnea index in patient with chronic obstructive lung disease. Subjects and Methods: Forty men patient presented with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (FEV1/FVC <0.70) were selected from outpatient clinic at Chest Department Kasr El-Ainy Hospital, age ranged from 50-65 years old. Ventilatory functions, Dyspnea index, oxygen saturation, CATscore ques-tionnaire, were measured pre and post training program. Patients were assigned in two groups. Group (A): Consisted of 20 patients were treated by expiratory breathing through Mouth Mask plus standard chest physiotherapy. Group (B) consisted of 20 patients were treated by pursed lip breathing plus standard chest physiotherapy Program was for five days per week for 8 weeks. Results: There was a significant increase in FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC post-treatment compared with that pre-treatment with a percent of improvement 19.25%, 44.29%, 21.5% respectively in the group A and 8.7%, 18.37%, 8.9% respectively in group B (p < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in CAT post-treatment compared with that pre-treatment with apercent of improvement 61.07% and 46.07% respectively in the group A and B (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in FEV1 with the mean difference between both groups was 0.28L and a significant decrease in CAT of the group A compared with that of the group B the mean difference between both groups was –5.1 (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in DI pre and post 3min step test post-treatment in the group A and B compared with that pre-treatment (p < 0.0001). Pre-treatment the median value of DI (pre 3min step test) of the group A was 2 and group B was 2 and that post-treatment was 0 for group A and 1 for group B. Pre-treatment the median value of DI (post 3min step test) of the group A was 3 and group B was 3 and post-treatment for group A was 1 and group B was 1.5. and comparison between the A and B post-treatment revealed a significant decrease in DI pre and post 3min step test of the group A compared with that of the group B. Conclusion: Mouth mask and pursed lip breathing are effective in improving ventilatory functions, improving of dyspnea, improving of health status and physical activity in patient with chronic obstructive lung disease. As there is improvement in CAT score questionnaire ventilatory param-eters and Dyspnea index in COPD.