Effectiveness of a mobile respiratory trainer (AiroFit PRO^™) in ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Airofit PRO^™, a mobile respiratory trainer device, on pulmonary function, chest expansion, and functional status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to a conventional pursed-lip breathing (PLB) exercise program.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 patients with AS who were allocated into two groups: the mobile device exercise (MDE) group (n = 36), using Airofit PRO^™, and the PLB control group (n = 34). The participants underwent a 12-week exercise regimen consisting of three 6-minute daily sessions. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25-75% (FEF25-75), peak expiratory flow (PEF), chest expansion, and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) scores, were measured pre- and post-intervention.

Significant improvements were observed in the MDE group compared to the PLB group. Male patients in the MDE group exhibited statistically significant improvements in FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75, and PEF (p < 0.05). Female patients in the MDE group demonstrated significant improvements in PFT parameters and chest expansion (p < 0.05). No significant improvement was observed in the PLB group. The compliance rates were similar between the groups, and no significant adverse effects were reported.

The Airofit PRO^™ respiratory trainer significantly improved pulmonary function parameters and chest expansion in AS patients , demonstrating greater effectiveness compared to conventional PLB exercises. These findings suggest that mobile respiratory trainers may provide a promising adjunctive therapeutic option for the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with AS.