The Immediate Effect of Chest Mobilization Technique on Dyspnea in Patients of COPD with Restrictive Impairment

Objective of study: to relieve dyspnea in patients of
COPD with restrictive impairment by chest
mobilization technique. Background: COPD is a
primary lung disease but as it advances, there is
restriction in chest wall mobility which decreases
pulmonary functions and vital capacity of lung. So
purpose of this study is to assess the immediate effect of
chest mobilization on relieving dyspnea by improving
the oxygen saturation. Materials and Methods: an
experimental study was conducted on 30 COPD patients
having vital capacity <80%, to assess the pre and post
differences in modified Borg scale by applying chest
mobilization technique: rib rotation; lateral flexion,
extension, rotation of chest wall and pectoralis major
stretching. Results: for within group analysis,
comparison of data for modified Borg score was done
using Wilcoxon sign rank test, and for between groups
analysis was done using Mann Whitney U test.
Statistical analysis showed significant change in
modified Borg score after application of chest
mobilization technique. Conclusion: it can be concluded
from this study that chest wall mobilization has
significant effect on dyspnea in COPD patients who are
having restrictive impairment of chest wall in later stage
of disease.