Trager Psychophysical Integration. A method to improve chest mobility of patients with chronic lung disease

The purpose of this study was to ascertain if Trager Psychophysical Integration would have an effect on patients with documented chronic lung diseases. The criterion measures were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second and at three seconds (FEV1, FEV3), chest expansion, respiratory rate (RR), and subjective breathing difficulty. After a two-week regimen of Trager Psychophysical Integration administered by a physical therapist trained in the technique, our subjects exhibited significant changes at the p less than .05 level in FVC, RR, and chest expansion. We noted no significant changes in FEV1 and FEV3 or in subjective breathing difficulty. Because Trager Psychophysical Integration appears to have a positive effect on the restrictive component of chronic lung disease, physical therapists should learn this technique to treat more effectively their patients with chronic lung disease resulting from restriction.