Effect of respiratory rehabilitation techniques on the autonomic function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review

Abstract

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show several extrapulmonary abnormalities such as impairment in the autonomic function (AF). Similarly, the use of respiratory training techniques such as controlled breathing techniques, noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV), and oxygen supplementation for AF modulation in patients with COPD is popular in existing literature. However, the evidence to support their use is nonexistent. A systematic search of studies reporting on the effect of controlled breathing techniques, NIMV, and/or oxygen supplementation techniques on AF outcome parameters was conducted in three online databases: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, relevant studies were retained and qualitatively analyzed for evidence synthesis. The methodological quality in these studies was evaluated using the evidence based guideline development (EBRO) checklists per designs provided by the Dutch Cochrane Centre. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria of the review and were included and discussed. The evidence synthesis revealed that a strong and moderate level evidence supported oxygen supplementation and slow breathing techniques, respectively, in significantly enhancing the baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) values in patients with COPD. The effect of the examined techniques on the heart rate variability and muscle sympathetic nerve activity was of a limited or inconsistent evidence. The findings from this review suggest that oxygen supplementation and controlled breathing techniques have profound positive influence on the BRS in patients with COPD. However, it is not fully clear whether these influence translates to any therapeutic benefit on the general AF of patients with COPD in the long term.

Pranayama Yoga and Music Therapy: A Holistic Rehabilitation Therapy Combination for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patient

“…Based on technique the basis of breathing used, pranayama can be divided into Dirgha Pranayama (deep and slow regular breathing techniques), Sukha Pranayama (practical breathing techniques to create a steady breathing rhythm), Sukha Purvaka Pranayama, and Vyaghrah Pranayama (tiger breathing technique). 16 Some main things that must be considered before doing any type of pranayama, which is ensuring that the doer is in a comfortable position, relax, upright body, and minimal distraction. Pranayama then can be begun by breathing in through the nose, holding the breath, and exhaling through the mouth periodically.…”

“…Yoga helps improve physical performance, and increases range of motion in COPD patients through improved skeletal muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination, and static and dynamic stability. 16 The decrease in the tendency of dyspnea to occur due to decreased reactivity of the sympathetic nerves in prayanama yoga practitioners. This is based on the presence of bronchial dilation which improves the abnormal breathing pattern and reduces the tension of the inspiratory and expiratory muscles.…”

Complex physical rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a polyclinic stage of treatment

“…our study was conducted in the context of existing data on the impact of physical rehabilitation on the condition of CoPd patients; it turns out to play a significant role in the treatment and prevention of the disease. Many works are devoted to the use of physiotherapy treatment in addition to drug therapy [9,10,15,19,20]. in our opinion, to improve the quality of life of CoPd patients, it is necessary to employ daily kinesiotherapy, whose main means is breathing exercises, in combination with nebulizer therapy.…”

“…in our opinion, to improve the quality of life of CoPd patients, it is necessary to employ daily kinesiotherapy, whose main means is breathing exercises, in combination with nebulizer therapy. Many studies have shown the positive effect of respiratory gymnastics [10,14,17,19] and physical training [1,3,9] on the indicators of external respiration function, namely the increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. The results of several randomized controlled studies have revealed that the use of manual therapy with physical training helps to improve physical performance [5,20].…”

“…Taking into account the demographic situation in our country associated with the aging of the population, the growing number of smokers, as well as the deterioration of the environment, we can most likely assume an increase in morbidity and mortality from CoPd in Ukraine. Globally, losses from CoPd are projected to increase over the coming decades owing to the long-term exposure to CoPd risk factors and population aging [7][8][9][10].…”