The purpose of this study was to find out to combined effect of Diaphragmatic facilitation technique with chest and shoulder mobilization exercises on COPD. The total 15 subjects of age group 35 to 45 years diagnosed as COPD from GH were randomly selected for this study and they were taught to do Diaphragmatic facilitation technique with chest and shoulder mobilization exercise for the period of 3 months. Before and after 3 months of training programme, the pre and post test values of FVC, FEV1 in liters were measured with computerized spirometer and scalene activities were palpated and graded with New method of evaluation by Hideaki Senjyu, Shigeki Yokoyama et.al., (2002).
The paired t-test was used to compare the difference between pre and post test values of above mentioned parameters.
The pre test mean value of FVC, FEV1 were 2.44, 2.32; the post test mean value of FVC, FEV1 were 2.98, 2.79 and the mean difference between pre and post test of FVC, FEV1 were 0.54, 0.47 respectively. The paired “t” value of FVC, FEV1 were 4.02, 5.67 which were greater than the tabulated t-value 2.77, 2.57 at 0.05 level. This showed that that there was statistically significant improvement in pulmonary functions in post test results.
The pre test mean value of scalene palpation was 2.40; the post test mean value of scalene palpation was 3.87; the mean difference between pre and post test was 1.5. The paired t-value for scalene palpation was 8.4 was greater than the tabulated t-value 2.30. This showed that there was statistically significant reduction in scalene activities and improvement in breathing pattern in response to intervention.
CONCLUSION:
The increased incidence of chronic illness challenges the Physiotherapist to treat the COPD. The proper assessment and clinical decision making is foremost important skill for selecting appropriate treatment technique and to gain early recovery in COPD. Diaphragmatic facilitation technique with chest and shoulder mobilization exercises improves the lung function and exercise tolerance on patient with COPD and should be regard as mainstay of pulmonary rehabilitation.
This study concludes that the diaphragmatic facilitation technique with chest and shoulder mobilization exercises are the effective treatment techniques for COPD patients. The study also concludes that the pulmonary function test and scalene palpation are useful methods for assessing effects of above treatment techniques
