Manual Diaphragm Release Technique Effects On Tidal Volume in Elderly

Manual Diaphragm Release Technique Effects On Tidal Volume And Upper Rib Cage Contribution During Quiet Breathing In Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Question: Does manual diaphragm release change kinematics and respiratory function of elderly subjects? Design: Randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation and double-blinding.

Participants: 17 volunteers over 60 years old randomized into two groups: 09 in the Control Group (CG) and 08 in the Intervention Group (IG).

Intervention: The manual diaphragm release technique was used on the IG, in two sets of ten deep breaths, with a one minute interval between them. The CG underwent a sham protocol (light touch), with same sets and time of interval.

Outcome measures: The groups were evaluated using spirometry, manovacuometry and optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP), in that order, before and immediately after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• over 60 years of age;
• a body mass index (BMI) below 30 kg/m2
• non-smokers, self-declared sedentary;
• presenting a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) greater than or equal to 80% of predicted;
• the ratio between these variables (FEV1/FVC) greater than 70% in spirometry

Exclusion Criteria:

• Showed the inability to understand verbal commands in the evaluation.