title: Incentive spirometry combined with expiratory positive airway pressure improves asthma control and quality of life in asthma: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of the incentive spirometer (IS) and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) provides several benefits in patients with respiratory disorders. However, the effects of the use of these devices coupled (IS + EPAP) are still unknown in asthmatic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of IS associated with EPAP on exercise tolerance (six-minute walk test - 6MWT), lung function (by spirometry), asthma control (Asthma Control Questionnaire - ACQ) and quality of life (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire - AQLQ) in patients with severe asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomised into two groups: IS + EPAP (n = 8) and control (n = 6). The IS + EPAP group performed breathing exercises at home, twice daily for 20 min, over a period of 5 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in spirometric variables and in the distance walked in the 6MWT in both groups. However, the IS + EPAP group showed an improvement in asthma control (p = 0.002) and quality of life (p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate that the IS + EPAP protocol, when performed at home, provides an improvement in asthma control and quality of life for patients with severe asthma when evaluated by ACQ and AQLQ, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre - UFCSPA , Porto Alegre, RS , Brasil .
authors.forename: Tatiana Zacarias
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: Rondinel
authors.forename: Isadora Faraco
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.forename: Luíza Machado
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hoscheidt
authors.forename: Mirelle Hugo
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bueno
authors.forename: Luciano Muller Corrêa
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Caroline Tozzi
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Reppold
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dal Lago
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001945:Breathing Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D062072:Patient Acuity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
keywords: Breathing exercises; chest physical therapy; functional capacity; positive pressure; pulmonary function