The Role of Home Breathing Techniques Versus Inspiratory Muscle Training in Physiotherapy for Chronic Asthma Patients in Sakaka City

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition with an increasing global prevalence, significantly affecting patients' quality of life and requiring effective management strategies. This study examines the comparative effectiveness of home-based breathing exercises and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in improving asthma control and quality of life for individuals with chronic asthma in Sakaka City, Saudi Arabia. A quasi-experimental design was used, involving 57 participants who were randomly assigned to either the breathing exercise group or the IMT group. Participants in the breathing exercise group were trained to perform diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing techniques at home, while those in the IMT group utilized a resistance breathing device under supervised sessions. The intervention lasted four months, with outcome assessments conducted at baseline, two months, and four months. Asthma control was measured using the Asthma Control Test (ACT), and quality of life was assessed through a validated questionnaire that addressed physical, emotional, and social aspects.
The results showed significant improvements in asthma control and quality of life for both groups. However, the IMT group demonstrated superior outcomes, including larger increases in ACT scores and marked improvements in physical activity-related quality of life dimensions. These enhanced results in the IMT group are attributed to the targeted strengthening of respiratory muscles, which improves endurance and reduces dyspnea. On the other hand, the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of breathing exercises make them an appealing option, especially in resource-constrained settings. These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating non-pharmacological interventions like IMT and breathing exercises into comprehensive asthma management plans. Further research is needed to confirm these results in larger and more diverse populations, as well as to explore the long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness of these approaches.