Chest mobility exercises versus proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in patients with chronic obstructive...

Chest wall expansion plays a crucial role in lung function among patients having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Reduced expansion impairs rib cage mobility, weakens respiratory muscles, and compromises breathing capacity.

The present study assessed the comparative efficacy of chest mobility exercises versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching in enhancing functional capacity along with pulmonary function among patients having COPD by measuring improvements in lung function and exercise tolerance.

Sixty patients with COPD aged 40-50 years participated in this study; all were in the moderate stage (GOLD II). They were randomized into two equivalent groups: Group (A) with 30 patients undergoing chest mobility exercise, and Group (B) with 30 patients undergoing proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare the characteristics of the two groups. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normality of the data distribution. MANOVA was used to compare within- and between-group effects on measured variables (Pulmonary Function, 6 MWT, COPD Assessment Test, dyspnea VAS, and chest expansion).

There was a substantial difference in the mean values between groups A and B. Both groups showed improvements in the outcome measures of pulmonary function, functional capacity, and chest expansion. However, group (A) shows better improvement with a mean difference in FEV1 = 2.5 [95 % CI = 1.6, 3.6], FVC = 3.7 [95 %CI = 1.6, 5.7], and 6 MWT30.3 m [95 %CI = 19, 41.6] m (p = 0.001) after seven sessions.

Both chest mobility exercises and PNF stretching could improve functional capacity and pulmonary functions in COPD patients.

The study was registered prospectively with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06269029).