Added Effect of Deep Breathing and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise in Upper Abdominal Surgery Patients: A Randomised Clinical Trial

“Added Effect of Deep Breathing and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise in Upper Abdominal Surgery Patients: A Randomised Clinical Trial” Background: PPC complication like at elect as is, reduced lung capacity, secretions, etc. are the most common complications seen in the patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery patients. Literature suggests that deep breathing and diaphragmatic breathing exercise is effective in reducing these complications. Aim: To evaluate the added effect of deep breathing and diaphragmatic breathing exercise in upper abdominal surgery patients. Method/Design: Thirty six patients with upper abdominal surgery were randomised into 3 groups by block randomization opaque sealed envelope method. Group A, B and C were given diaphragmatic breathing, deep breathing and combined deep and diaphragmatic breathing exercises respectively. Outcomes were taken on post-operative day 2 and day 7 for pulmonary function test (FVC, FEV1), chest expansion measurement with inch tape, and AMPAC6-click scale. Results: Between the groups analysis using ANOVA showed that there was no significant difference between the groups in pre-and post-values (>0.05). Within the group analysis using paired t- test showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the pre-and post-vales of chest expansion measurement and AMPAC scale but not in pulmonary function test. Conclusion: We concluded that combine application of diaphragmatic breathing and deep breathing exercise did not yield a statistically significant improvement but diaphragmatic breathing and the deep breathing exercise can be given individually. This gave a significant improvement in the post-operative pulmonary complication in the upper abdominal surgery.