title: Inspiratory flow rate, not type of incentive spirometry device, influences chest wall motion in healthy individuals.
abstract: This study investigated the effect of flow rates and spirometer type on chest wall motion in healthy individuals. Twenty-one healthy volunteers completed breathing trials to either two times tidal volume (2xV(T)) or inspiratory capacity (IC) at high, low, or natural flow rates, using a volume- or flow-oriented spirometer. The proportions of rib cage movement to tidal volume (%RC/V(T)), chest wall diameters, and perceived level of exertion (RPE) were compared. Low and natural flow rates resulted in significantly lower %RC/V(T) compared to high flow rate trials (p=0.001) at 2xV(T). Low flow trials also resulted in significantly less chest wall motion in the upper anteroposterior direction than high and natural flow rates (p<0.001). At IC, significantly greater movement occurred in the abdominal lateral direction during low flow compared to high and natural flow trials (both p<0.003). RPE was lower for the low flow trials compared to high flow trials at IC and 2xV(T) (p<0.01). In healthy individuals, inspiratory flow (not device type) during incentive spirometry determines the resultant breathing pattern. High flow rates result in greater chest wall motion than low flow rates.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Angela T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kerry R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Jessie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McNaught
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D013147:Spirometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000502:physiology*; D013990:Tidal Volume; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult