Investigating the correlation between pulmonary function tests and ultrasonographic diaphragm measurements and the effects of respiratory exercises on these parameters in hemiplegic patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation of DUS and pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and investigate the effects of respiratory exercises on the above parameters.

METHODS

For the treatment group (n=20), neurological rehabilitation and respiratory exercise program, and for the control group (n=21), only a neurological rehabilitation program was implemented for 30 sessions. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), end-inspiration diaphragm thickness (IDT), end-expiratory diaphragm thickness (EDT), and diaphragm thickening ratio (DTR) were measured pre- and post-treatment.

RESULTS

IDTs and EDTs as well as DTRs of affected side (p < .001, .001, and .03, respectively) and intact side (p < .001, .001, and .02, respectively) were found to improve post-treatment than before treatment in the treatment group. Similarly, FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC, were better post-treatment than before treatment in the treatment group. Moreover, the affected side IDT was positively correlated with FVC and FEV1 before treatment (r = .38, p = .03 and r = .35, p = .02) and post-treatment (r = .46, p = .02 and r = .39, p = .03). The affected side DTR was positively correlated with FVC and FEV1 before treatment (r = .44, p = .01 and r = .40, p = .02) and post-treatment (r = .32, p = .03 and r = .40, p = .04).

CONCLUSION

DUS can be used for the evaluation of respiratory problems in stroke patients. Moreover, breathing exercises improve these parameters in stroke patients, and they can be followed up by DUS.