Combined Effect of Respiratory Muscle Stretching and Active Cycle of Breathing Technique on Kinesiophobia, Functional Capacity and Anxiety among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Abstract

Background: COPD causes chronic airflow limitation and dyspnea, reducing function and quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the combined effect of the Active cycle Breathing Technique (ACBT) with Respiratory Muscle Stretching (RMS) on kinesiophobia, functional capacity and anxiety among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital in Lahore. Forty Patients with COPD moderate to severe were randomly assigned into group A and group B (n=20 each). Group A received active cycle breathing technique (ACBT), alone and Active cycle Breathing Technique with Respiratory Muscle Stretching (RMS) was received by Group B. The Tampa kinesiophobia scale Questionnaire was used to evaluate kinesiophobia. The functional capacity was assessed by 6-minute walk test, and hospital anxiety and depression were used to assess anxiety.  Results: Both groups showed significant with-in group improvements in kinesiophobia, functional capacity and anxiety with p-value < 0.05. Between group analysis showed that there is greater improvement in ACBT combined with RMS compared to ACBT alone with p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: This trial concluded that the combination of ACBT and respiratory muscle stretching could be a promising intervention for COPD patients, offering a potential solution to the challenges of kinesiophobia, reduced functional capacity, and anxiety.