title: Effect of intercostal stretch on pulmonary function parameters among healthy males.
abstract: The use of manual stretching procedures has become more prevalent in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy to improve pulmonary functions. However, limited evidence exists regarding evaluation of their effectiveness. The study aimed to determine the impact of Intercostal (IC) stretch in improving the dynamic pulmonary function parameters (Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC % and respiratory rate among healthy adults. Thirty healthy male subjects were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were assigned to the experimental group and the control group through random sampling method. In the experimental group, subjects underwent IC stretch for ten breaths on the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle with breathing control exercises in semi recumbent position, while in the control group, breathing control exercises alone were performed in the semi recumbent position. The results of the study showed, FEV1/FVC % in the experimental group significantly improved with P=0.017 (p<0.05) than the control group, which means IC stretch increased lung volume and lead to improved lung function. This study suggested the IC stretching with breathing control may be more effective in improving dynamic lung parameters especially FEV1/FVC % than breathing control alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ku Badlisyah Ku
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Aziz
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kamaria
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamaruddin
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Program, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Joseph H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Srijit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy, Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Madhana Gopal
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Jagannathan
keywords: breathing exercises; intercostal muscles; spirometry; vital capacity