A comparative study of effectiveness of feldenkrais breathing exercises Vs conventional therapy for improving quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-threatening lung disease that interferes with normal breathing and it also has a significant impact on other bodily systems. COPD is preventable, but not curable. Treatment can help slow disease progression, but COPD generally worsens slowly over time. Because of this, it is most frequently diagnosed in people aged 40 years or older. COPD is characterized by limitation of airflow - both into and out of the lungs - that is not fully reversible. This airflow limitation usually worsens over time and is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious stimuli. According to World Health Organization estimates, 64 million people have COPD worldwide in 2004 and more than 3 million people died of COPD in 2004, which is equal to 5% of all deaths globally that year. COPD kills on average one person every 10 seconds. Total deaths from COPD are projected to increase by more than 30% in the next 10 years, making it the third leading cause of death in the world. Almost 90% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where effective strategies for prevention and control are not always implemented or accessible. OBJECTIVES: 1. To evaluate the effectiveness of Feldenkrais Technique for COPD patients. 2. To find out whether the quality of life improves in COPD patients with treatment technique. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: MATERIALS: Treatment couch, Pillows, Chair, Assessment chart. RESEARCH DESIGN: The design that is used for this study is the quasi experimental design. STUDY SETTING: The entitled study was conducted at Out patient department of Nandha college of physiotherapy, Erode, Danvanthri Critical Care Center, Erode, Government Head Quarters Hospitals, Erode. SAMPLING METHOD: The subject was selected based upon the purposive random sampling technique, sample of 30 COPD patients were taken into the study who were randomized into the experimental group (15 COPD patients) and control group (15 stroke patients). CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF SAMPLES: Inclusive criteria: Both male and female, Age group 40-60 years, Based on assessment and diagnosed as mild, moderate and severe COPD patients. Exclusive criteria: Severe exaggerated COPD patients, Patients with cardiological problems, Patients with neurological and orthopedic problems, Patients with visual and auditory disorder, Mentally retarded patients, Arterial disease, Deep vein thrombosis, Infective conditions, Pregnancy, Pace-maker. STUDY DURATION: The study was carried out for a period of 4 months of duration and each patient was trained according to which group he /she belongs in this study. Experimental Group: It consists of 15 patients who underwent Feldenkrais and breathing, relaxation exercise. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION: For the pre and post test experimental study, both paired and unpaired ‘t’ test was used for each parameter in an intra group analysis to find out the significance of improvement achieved through intervention. Then unpaired ‘t’ test was used to find out the significance of the changes between two groups i.e., inter-group analysis. RESULTS: The study was conducted to find out whether Feldenkrais exercise improves the quality of life in COPD patients. 30 patients were treated by this method and the test results were analyzed by using quasi experimental method. The pre and post test values were assessed in the experimental group. The standard deviation and the 't' value were calculated by paired 't' test and the values were 0.8 and 8.2 respectively. These values were higher than the table value 2.15 with 5% level of significance at 14 degrees of freedom. The pre and post test values were assessed in control group. The standard deviation and the 't' value were calculated by paired 't' test and the values were 0.6 and 3.7 respectively. These values were higher than the table value 2.15 with 5% level of significance at 14 degrees of freedom. The calculated 't' values by unpaired 't' test was 8.25 which was higher than the table value 2.05 with 5% level of significance at 28 degrees of freedom. The paired 't' test values have shown that Feldenkrais exercises were more effective than conventional therapy on COPD Patients. CONCLUSION: Based on 't' values, it could be seen that there is significant difference between the calculated values and table values. The mean and standard deviation value of experimental group is higher than the control group. Through the results, the null hypothesis is rejected and alternate hypothesis is accepted. So, we conclude that Feldenkrais breathing exercise therapy is more effective for improving quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary patients