A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Halotherapy in improving Airway Clearance among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease admitted in Selected Wards at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai

Abstract

STUDY TITLE: A study to assess the effectiveness of Halotherapy in improving airway clearance among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted in selected wards in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai-03. Respiratory disorder is a term that encompasses pathological conditions that affects the organ and tissues that makes gaseous exchange impairment and abnormal mucus accumulation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic airway disease which interfere with normal breathing. Halotherapyis also known as dry salt therapy or a form of saline solution inhalation. It means breathing a negative ion rich dry salt micro-climate, just like in natural salt mines. It is a natural safe, non-invasive, alternative therapy which is also very relaxing. NEED FOR THE STUDY: The increasing need for drug free method of treatment for respiratory diseases, halotherapy ( `halos means salt in Greek) is one of such methods. It stimulates a natural salt cave microclimate. As there is a increasing need for the drug free method to decrease the complications and side effects of drugs alternative therapies are needed. Halotherapy plays a major role in decreasing the symptoms of respiratory diseases and improving the airway clearance without any drugs and side effects. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Experimental and Control group before administering Halotherapy. 2. To assess the effect of Halotherapy in improving airway clearance in experimental group. 3. To find the effect of Halotherapy in improving airway clearance of experimental by comparing control group. 4. To associate the demographic profile with the post test results. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Research approach: Quantitative research approach. Duration of the study: Four weeks 20.11.16 to 18.12.16. Study setting: Male and Female medical wards at RGGGH. Study design: Quasi experimental research design-Non Randomized control group design. Study population: Male and Female patients with COPD. Sample size: 60 Male and Female (Experimental-30, Control-30). Sampling technique: Convenient sampling technique. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE: Data collection done after approval from ethical committee, consent from participants. Airway clearance is assessed by using airway clearance assessment scale which includes respiratory rate assessment, auscultation findings of the lungs, modified 02 saturation scale, modified medical research council dyspnea scale and oxygen requirement. Halotherapy is administered by using 3% Normal Saline nebulisation twice daily for three days in experimental group only post assessment was done in both the group by using airway clearance assessment scale among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DATA ANALYSIS: Demographic variables in categorical/dichotomous were given in frequencies with their percentages. Symptoms score was given in mean and standard deviation. Difference between experiment and control was analysed using student independent t-test. Difference between pretest and posttest was analyzed using student paired t-test. Statistical significant difference between pre and post test level of symptoms score was analyzed using extended McNemar's test. Homogeneity between experiment and control group demographic variables are analysed using chi square test.Association between level of symptoms score with demographic variables are analyzed using chi square test. Differences between pretest and posttest difference on effectiveness of study was analysed using percentage with 95% CI and mean difference with 95% Cl. Association between symptoms reduction score and Demographic variables was analysed using One way ANOVA F-test and student independent t-test. RESULTS: Findings of the study reveals that halotherapy will improve the airway clearance among patients with COPD. In selected demographic variables such as age, sex, occupation and duration of illness had significant (p=0.01) association with the post test level of airway clearance. Considering experiment group, patients are reduced 2.23 symptoms score, t= 13.62, p=0.001, this difference is statistically significant, whereas control group patients reduced 0.47 symptoms score, t=1.91, p=0.06. This difference is statistically not significant. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Halotherapy can be added as a routine therapy in clinical setting for improving level of airway clearance. 2. The study can be done in different setting with longer duration. DISCUSSION: Hypothesis was proved by the great statistically significance occurs after halotherapy. Oneway ANOVA F-test and student independent t-test. shows that there is an association between the post test level of airway clearance with selected demographic variables among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving Halotherapy. CONCLUSION: In conclusion of the study halotherapy is an effective method in improving the airway clearance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. So it can be used as a routine therapy for clearing the airway in clinical setting