Thesis (Ph.D)-Cairo University, 2023.

Bibliography: pages 121-143.

Purpose: To study the effect of respiratory muscle training by using (The Breather) on ventilatory functions in women after mastectomy. Subjects: 40 women with unilateral post-mastectomy were randomly selected from Baheya Center with an age range from (40-50) years old. (Received radiotherapy /chemotherapy and physical therapy sessions), divided into 2 equal groups (each group=20). Methods: Group A received respiratory muscle training with the breather device with physical therapy rehabilitation and Group B received physical therapy rehabilitation only. Both groups received sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Equipment used for evaluation: ventilatory function measuring device (Spirometer) used to measure ventilatory function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, MVV), measuring tape used to measure chest expansion, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Dyspnea-10 item (FACIT-Dyspnea) Questionnaire. Results: There was a significant increase in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and MVV in groups A and B post-treatment compared with results of pre-treatment measures. The percent of change in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and MVV in group A was 51.42, 89.73, 22.86, 129.6, and 2.78% while that in group B was 22.49, 43.06, 15.25, and 62.58% respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the chest expansion between groups. There was a significant decrease in FACIT-Dyspnea and FACIT-Functional limitation in groups A and B. The percent of change in FACIT-Dyspnea and FACIT-Functional limitation in group A was 61.08 and 68.01% respectively while that in group B was 43.24 and 51.76% respectively. Conclusion: Respiratory muscle training via (The Breather) helped the improvement of ventilatory function and dyspnea when combined with physical therapy rehabilitation after mastectomy.

Issues also as CD.

Text in English and abstract in Arabic & English.