[The effect of respiratory rehabilitation on the functional ventilation changes in the asthmatic child]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement of lung function abnormalities during asymptomatic periods in children with perennial atopic asthma after physical respiratory rehabilitation and swimming (RR).

240 lung function tests were performed regularly by whole-body plethysmography during asymptomatic periods on 68 atopic asthmatic children aged 5-13 (means 8.7 y), in a follow up four years study (1983-87). TLC, VC, FEV1, Raw, MEF50, RV and TGV were recorded. We selected TGV for measured hyperinflation, Resistance (Raw) for bronchial obstruction and MEF50 for small airways obstruction. We divided these children population in two groups: group A control (20 subjects, means 9.3 y. age) immunotherapy (IT) alone; group B (48 subjects, means 8.03 y. age) IT and respiratory rehabilitation and swimming. Furthermore, we compared the evolution of the lung function according to the severity of asthma on B group alone.

the number of hyperinflated or bronchial obstructed children who did RRS is significantly smaller than on the control group. Nevertheless, breathing exercises and swimming has no effect on peripheral airway obstruction. When we compared the effect of asthma on B group alone, we noted that the recovery of lung abnormalities were observed on the great majority of mild and moderate hyperinflated and bronchial obstructed asthma. In severe asthma, the results were not so good, particularly on bronchial and peripheral airway obstruction. In these last cases the functional prognosis will be uncertain.

respiratory rehabilitation and swimming have an unquestionable effect on improvement of hyperinflated asthmatic children, some effect on improvement on permanent bronchial obstruction, and without any benefit on permanent peripheral airway obstruction. Lung function tests might be monitored the RR in all asthmatic children with lung function impairment.