The effect of two body positions on tidal breathing

Abstract: The effect of two different body positions on tidal breathing. Key words: Tidal volume, body positions, administration, inhalation therapy, inspiration volume Background Inhalation therapy is becoming a more habitual way of distributing different types of drugs. Several factors are important to consider for optimising inhalation therapy. Physiotherapists play a key role in inhalation therapy. Earlier studies have shown some benefit from a seated, slightly forward leaning position during inhalation. In light of this, physiotherapists have often recommended this position during inhalation therapy, as opposed to a supine or semi-recumbent position in a hospital bed. Aim The aim of this study was to explore if the quality of breath and inspiration pattern is affected in different body positions. A second aim was also to simulate and analyze how different inhalation patterns could influence drug deposition in a device for aerodynamic size fractionation of aerosol clouds Study design Clinical study. Method and measuring instruments 11 participants were included in the study. Their spontaneous tidal breathing was registered in 2 body positions using a mass flow measurer. Inspiration volume, max flow and breaths per minute was calculated for a total of 66 registrations; each registration lasted 10 seconds, 3 registrations were recorded per participant and position. Drug deposition would have been analyzed in vitro through aerodynamic size fractionation of aerosol clouds. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Ethical considerations This study was approved by the advisory committee for research ethics in health education at Lund University. The participants were given verbal and written information about the study and signed a consent form before participating. Participation was voluntary. Result Considerable variation of inspiration volume, max flow of inspiration and breaths per minute was seen on an individual level. The second aim was not analyzed due to no significant difference on a group level between the semi-recumbent and the seated position. Conclusion In spite of variation of inspiration values on an individual level, the differences on a group level were clinically insignificant when comparing the two body positions. With a different population, such as patients with respiratory disorders, results might have differed. For specific patient groups further studies are required. From the results of this study, we can conclude that the healthy adults’ tidal breathing was not affected in a seated position or a semi-recumbent position.