[Comparison of Effects of Exhalation and Inhalation Breathing Exercises on Pulmonary Function and Complications in Elderly Patients with Upper-abdominal Surgery].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of exhalation breathing exercises using expirometer and that of inhalation breathing exercises using incentive spirometry on pulmonary function and complications in elderly patients with upper-abdominal surgery.


METHODS
The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. Participants were 63 patients who underwent upper-abdominal surgery under general anesthesia (32 in experiment group, 31 in control group). They were recruited at P university hospital from August 1 to November 30, 2015. Effects were evaluated by measuring pulmonary functions (Forced Vital Capacity [FVC], Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second [FEV1]) and pulmonary complications. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program.


RESULTS
There was no difference in FVC between the experimental group and the control group, but FEV1 in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group by time change (p=.001). Also, there were no pulmonary complications in the experimental group but there were 5 cases (16.1%)(p=.018) in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate that exhalation breathing exercises by elderly patients following upper-abdominal surgery is an effective nursing intervention in enhancing pulmonary function and preventing pulmonary complications.
SICU, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital., Yangsan, Korea. worldofmiji@hanmail.net.
Mijee
M
Koo
College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea.
Sunkyung
S
Hwang
D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
Breathing exercises; Exhalation; Inhalation; Surgery