title: Immediate effects of respiratory muscle stretching on chest wall kinematics and electromyography in COPD patients.
abstract: This study evaluated the immediate effects of respiratory muscle stretching on chest wall kinematics and electromyographic activity in COPD patients. 28 patients with COPD were randomized into two groups: 14 to the treatment group (TG) and 14 to the control group (CG). The TG underwent a stretching protocol of the rib cage muscles, while the CG remained at rest under similar conditions. After a single session, TG increased the tidal volume of the pulmonary rib cage (Vrcp) (p=0.020) and tidal volume of abdominal rib cage (Vrca) (p=0.043) variations and their percentages in relation to the thoracic wall, Vrcp% (p=0.044) and Vrca% (p=0.022). Also, TG decreased the end-expiratory Vrcp (p=0.013) and the end-inspiratory Vrcp (p=0.011) variations. In addition, there was a reduction in respiratory rate (RR) (p=0.011) and minute volume (MV) (p=0.035), as well as an increase in expiratory time (Te) (p=0.026). There was also an immediate reduction in sternocleidomastoid (p=0.043) and upper trapezium (p=0.034) muscle electrical activity. Then, the study supports the use of stretching to improve COPD chest wall mobility with positive effects on chest wall mechanics, on volume distribution and electromyography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal of Pernambuco University, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafaela Barros
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: de Sá
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal of Pernambuco University, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maíra Florentino
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Pessoa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal of Pernambuco University, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Gabriela Leal
authors.initials: AGL
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal of Pernambuco University, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Shirley Lima
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: City University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amorim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal of Pernambuco University, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Electronic address: armeledornelas@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Armèle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dornelas de Andrade
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D010991:Plethysmography; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012119:Respiration; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013990:Tidal Volume / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: COPD; Electromyography; Muscle stretching; Optoelectronic plethysmography; Respiratory muscles