Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiopulmonary and Geriatrics Disorders

Increase in diaphragmatic muscle strength can accelerate weaning from mechanical ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To determine the efficacy of the diaphragmatic breathing exercise on accelerate weaning in COPD patients on mechanical ventilator. Forty COPD patients: 20 men and 20 women, aged from 40 - 60 years suffering from respiratory failure on mechanical ventilation were selected from the military production specialized centre. They were randomly divided into two groups of equal number: study group: included 10 men and 10 women who were treated with diaphragmatic breathing exercise and chest physical therapy 3 times for one week and control group: included 10 men and 10 women who were treated with chest physical therapy without diaphragmatic breathing exercise. All patients were evaluated daily before and after treatment by pulse oximetery, blood gas analyzer, ventilator system parameters and spontaneous breathing trials time

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