Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a prototype of a novel respiratory device that we validated and assessed clinically and examined the effect of prototype of respiratory device on blood pressure (BP). Methods Prototype of respiratory device (TU-Breath Training) was designed with pressure cuff and application software was created. The immediate effect of resisted breathing was determined in 20 adults with high BP (systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg and diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg). A crossover study was designed. A total of 20 eligible participants were asked to sit quietly for 10 min. Heart rate (HR), BP, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured and recorded. After the resting period, all participants were randomized and counterbalanced for undergoing the set of inspiratory muscle training by TU-Breath Training and control group. A set of respiratory training were composed of 10 times per set for three sets, while the control group was asked to sit for 10 min. Results After inspiratory training, both the systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly. Compared with control group, using TU-Breath Training decreased systolic BP (−7.00 ± 5.93 mmHg) and diastolic BP (−5.95 ± 8.88 mmHg), but did not show differences in HR and SpO2. Conclusion The study indicated that in high-BP participants, the prototype of respiratory device (TU-Breath Training) elicits decreased BP.

Background: Poor psychological health and cardiorespiratory fitness prior to open heart surgery (OHS) might be predictors of postoperative pulmonary complications that lead to morbidity and mortality. Assessment of physical and psychological conditions should be considered for patients receiving OHS, to possibly prevent these complications. This study investigates how inspiratory muscle strength (IMS) and functional capacity (FC) relate to the psychological health of preoperative cardiac surgery patients. Method: A cross-sectional study was designed before OHS; the 6-minute walk test and IMS were performed on patients who were admitted for OHS. All participants were requested to complete Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Pearson correlation and hierarchal regression analysis were performed to determine the relationships between IMS and FC and psychological conditions (anxiety and depression). Results: Overall, 36 males and 28 females aged 56.89±10.23 years were recruited. Significant relationships were observed between IMS and anxiety and depression symptoms (r = –0.33 and r = –0.27, respectively). Anxiety was negatively related to FC ( r = –0.25). These relationships remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) (∆ R2 = 0.11 and ∆ R2 = 0.09). In addition, anxiety was also related to FC after controlling for age, sex, and BMI (∆ R2 = 0.09). Conclusion: Among patients undergoing OHS, those with a higher level of depression or anxiety had a lower cardiorespiratory fitness than those with a low level of depression or anxiety.

Poor air quality is an important problem in several countries, especially in northern Thailand. Several studies have reported the association between these problems and risks of human health. However, little is known regarding the effects of the air quality on cardio-respiratory systems among people of different ages. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of air quality on pulmonary function and cardiovascular endurance before high PM10, high PM10, and after high PM10 periods in children, adults and elderly groups in the north of Thailand. A prospective cohort study with three different periods was designed. A sample of 450 participants (i.e., children, adults, and elderly people) was random, and were recruited in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Nan. Pulmonary function tests and cardiovascular endurance were measured by spirometer and six-minute walk distance (6MWD), respectively. A total of 335 participants were recruited; 96 children, 119 adults and 120 elderly people. For pulmonary function, force expiratory volume in first second/Force vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) in the children's group found significant differences when compared before high PM10-high PM10 period ( 2.289%) and before high PM10-after high PM10 period ( 2.324%). Also, 6MWD found significant differences in children, adults, and elderly groups when compared before high PM10-high PM10 period ( 80.480,  36.640, and  25.511 meter, respectively) and before high PM10-after high PM10 period ( 70.488,  22.874, and  16.374 meter, respectively). Therefore, air quality had a negative effect on the cardiorespiratory system.

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between change in respiratory muscle strength and change in cough ability in patients submitted to open-heart surgery. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 52 participants. Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) using a respiratory pressure meter. Cough ability was evaluated by voluntary expiratory peak flow (PEF) using a digital spirometer. Evaluations were performed on the day of admission and discharge. Post-operative MIP, MEP, and PEF were significantly lower than those evaluated preoperatively (all p < 0.001). The difference of MIP and MEP was substantial positively correlated with the change in PEF in both absolute and predicted values (all p < 0.001) with the changes in MIP was highly relation. This study demonstrated that weakness of respiratory muscles, especially inspiratory muscle, was correlated to declining in cough ability in patients who had undergone open-heart surgery.

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