Physiotherapy assessment of breathing pattern disorder: a qualitative evaluation

Area of Science:

• Physiotherapy
• Respiratory Medicine
• Diagnostic Assessment

Background:

• Breathing Pattern Disorder (BPD) is a condition affecting respiratory function.
• Accurate assessment is vital for effective management of BPD.
• Current physiotherapy approaches to BPD assessment may lack standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate physiotherapists' perspectives on the assessment of Breathing Pattern Disorder (BPD).
• To identify challenges and areas of consensus in BPD assessment among physiotherapists.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing focus groups and surveys.
• Surveys were distributed to UK physiotherapists via social media and email.
• Focus groups were conducted with 15 physiotherapists from diverse practice settings.

Main Results:

• 103 physiotherapists responded to the survey, revealing a lack of consensus on BPD definition but agreement on assessment components.
• Focus groups identified three key themes: nomenclature/language of breathing, BPD and breathlessness, and the value of breathlessness assessment.
• Inconsistent terminology was highlighted as a barrier to assessment and diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Inconsistent nomenclature for dysfunctional breathing patterns hinders BPD assessment, management, and understanding.
• Establishing diagnostic clarity is fundamental to improving BPD recognition and treatment.
• Findings can inform future education, training, research, and guideline development for BPD assessment.