Benefits of chest wall mobilization on respiratory efficiency and functional exercise capacity in people with severe...

Coexistence of chest wall hypomobility and lung hyperinflation compromises respiratory muscle function and respiratory efficiency in people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to investigate the effect of chest wall mobilization on functional exercise capacity, respiratory muscle activity and respiratory muscle tissue oxygen saturation for people with severe COPD.

Thirty male adults (age: 75 ± 6) diagnosed with severe COPD completed a 6-week programme (twice/week) according to intervention randomization (chest wall mobilization group, CWMG, n = 15; control group, CG, n = 15). Both groups received standardized education and walking exercise, while CWMG also received chest wall and thoracic spine mobilization. Electromyography of the essential and accessory respiratory muscles and tissue oxygen saturation of the intercostal muscle (StO₂, measured by near-infrared spectroscopy) during incremental cycle exercise test were measured and compared between the two groups at pre-programme, post-programme and 3-month follow-up.

Patients in CWMG demonstrated a significant increase in exercise tolerance from <3 METS to 4-6 METS (p = 0.000) after intervention. A significant decrease in activity of scalene, sternocleidomastoids and intercostal muscle during exercise test (p < 0.01) was found in CWMG, as compared to CG. A significant decrease in StO₂ (p < 0.05) and greater decline in the slope of oxygenation dissociation (p = 0.000) were seen in CWMG during exercise test. These positive results were maintained at 3-month follow-up in CWMG.

Improvements in exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle efficiency and oxygenation extraction ability in CWMG suggest a potential clinical benefit of integrating chest wall and thoracic spine mobilization for rehabilitation of people with severe COPD.