A comparative study of Diaphragmatic Breathing and Resistive Inspiratory Muscle Training on Dyspnea during Pregnancy: A Pilot study
Abstract
Dyspnea is an awareness of breathlessness that correlates with the respiratory drive in a person. Since there is an increased respiratory drive in pregnancy, it causes a perception of dyspnea. It is one of the commonest problem in pregnancy and has been noted in an approximately 60-70% of women.
Objective: This study was done to compare the effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on dyspnea during pregnancy.
Method: This was a pilot study on a sample size of 12 pregnant women, who were randomly divided into two groups. One group received Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) and another received Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise (DBE). The outcome measure was dyspnea, which was analysed at baseline and after the intervention of 4 weeks.
Result: Inspiratory muscle training was found to be beneficial to decrease dyspnea grade during pregnancy.
Conclusion: The present study suggested that the performance of IMT in pregnancy during third trimester helps to reduce dyspnea.
Keywords: Pregnancy, Inspiratory Muscle Training, Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise, Dyspnea.