to investigate the effect of Liuzijue Qigong exercises on ventilatory function in post stroke elderly patients.

70 post stroke patients their ages ranges from 60 to 70 years old, randomly assigned into two groups: Study group (A) that consists of 35 patients (18 women &17 men) who perform Liuzijue exercise, 5 sessions per week, 20 minutes per session. and conventional rehabilitation treatment 3 sessions per week, 45-60 minutes per session, for 12 successive weeks.

Control group (B) that consists of 35 patients (18 women &17 men) in which patients receive just the conventional exercise program, 3 sessions per week, 45-60 minutes per session, for 12 successive weeks.

During the study, the participants receive study information form, instructions and signed the consent form.

Inclusion criteria:

All patients included in this study met the following criteria:

1. Subject people of both sexes (18 women, and 17 men).
2. All patients had unilateral stroke.
3. Their age ranged from 60 to 80 years old.
4. Stroke onset was from 6 to 1 months.
5. Medically stable subjects.
6. Non-smoker subjects.
7. Ability to understand and follow simple verbal instructions.

Exclusion criteria:

Patients who experienced or had one or more of the following were excluded from the study:

1. Patients with severe acute illness.
2. Chronic unstable pulmonary and/or cardiac disease.
3. Impaired level of consciousness and evidence of gross cognitive problems.
4. Patients undergo chemotherapy.
5. Active hemoptysis, untreated pneumothorax, recent esophageal surgery.
6. Recent oral, facial or skull trauma / surgery, acute sinusitis, epistaxis, hemodynamic instability.
7. Current Smokers.
8. Patients had a severe psychological disorder.

Participants will be assigned randomly into two groups of equal number . the randomization will be performed by computerized randomization.