Year: 2025 | Month: October-December | Volume: 10 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 225-231
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20250432
“Stages of Relief” - Effect of Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients in Different Stages of Disease Severity
Dr. Nirav Vaghela1, Dr. Daxa Mishra2, Dr. Dharaben Patel3, Dr. Vyoma Dani4
1Professor, K. M. Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Bhaikaka University, Karamsad – 388325, Anand, Gujarat, India.
2Professor and Principal, B. N. Patel College of Physiotherapy, Anand, Gujarat, India.
3Registered Physiotherapist, NZRP and IAP.
4Associate Professor, K. M. Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Bhaikaka University, Karamsad – 388325, Anand, Gujarat, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Vyoma Dani
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for lung conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and the symptoms of individuals with these conditions such as breathing difficulties, wheezing, cough, and mucus production often exaggerate during flare-ups. The usefulness of Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) for individuals with flare-ups of COPD or stable COPD is still difficult to determine. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) on pulmonary functions among the patients with mild, moderate, and severe stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods: It was a cross sectional, single-centre study. 60 patients of COPD were recruited based on convenient sampling. The patients were diagnosed by chest physicians and were categorized into mild (n=17), moderate (n=20) and severe (n=23) stages as per the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria based on Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT). ACBT along with conventional physiotherapy treatment was provided to all the patients in all three groups once daily for one week. PFT was carried out before and after the intervention. Paired t-test was carried out for the comparison of PFT values, before and after intervention. One-way ANOVA was performed for comparison of PFT values between three groups.
Results: The results show improvement in all parameters that is, Forced Expiratory Volume in One second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC after the intervention among patients with mild COPD and showed improvement in FEV1 and FVC among patients with moderate and severe COPD (p<0.05). While comparing the improvement among three groups, no statistically significant difference was found for all the parameters.
Conclusion: This study suggests that ACBT is effective in reducing airway obstruction at all stages of COPD, however, it is more effective among patients with mild category.
Keywords: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Airway obstruction, Cough, Mucus, Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT), Respiratory function tests, Physical therapy modalities