Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy For Cardiopulmonary and Geriatrics Disorders

Background: Pickwickian syndrome is a condition in which severe obese patients fail to breathe rapidly or deeply enough, resulting in low oxygen levels and high blood carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Purpose: To investigate the effect of breathing retraining using breathslim device on functional capacity in pickwickian syndrome patients. Subjects and methods: Sixty patients of both sexes with BMI more than 35kg /m2 were recruited from outpatient clinic of Tanta Police Hospital; they were randomly and equally allocated into 2 different groups using select the card method into: Group A (study group) : of 13 men and 17 women who received breathing retraining plus controlled diet (1200-1700 kcal) and physician advices and Group B (control group): 15 men and 15 women received controlled diet (1200-1700kcal), medications,(medroxyprogesterone and acetazolamide), (CPAP) and physician advices. Arterial blood gases were analyzed using an analyzer; FEV1 and FVCwere assessed using spirometry besides recording the score of 6MWT. Results: All variables showed statistical significant improvement (P>0.000) in study group with significant difference regarding post values when compared to control group (P>0.001).The results showed that the percent of change for PO2, PCO2, HCO3, FEV1, FVC and 6MWT for group (A) were increased by9.54%, 80.33%, 94.54% and 12.69% and decreased by14.93%,15.38% respectively, and for group (В) also increased by 0.37%, 0.75%, 2.48%, 2.31%, 0.7% and decreased by 2.2%, respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that breathing retraining using breath slim device have a modulating effect on functional capacity in pickwickian syndrome patients

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