Efficacy of Power Breathe Device versus Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Training Device on Inspiratory Muscle Strength in Upper Abdominal Surgery Patients: A Research Protocol

Introduction: Surgery care is important in the treatment of a variety of disorders as well as the alleviation of human suffering. Surgery is essential for meeting basic healthcare needs all across the world, although to varying degrees depending on disease subtypes and epidemiological regions. Laparoscopic surgery is now widely established. Benefits of laparoscopic surgery include improved cosmetic results, reduced postoperative pain, and reduced length of hospital stay with patient satisfaction. Upper abdominal surgery initiates a series of physiological events that result in postoperative pulmonary complications such as increased morbidity, mortality, and hospitalisation. Preoperatively in abdominal surgeries, Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) devices have been used to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications as well as improve the quality of life of the patients.

Need of the study: Surgery is a crucial part of the healthcare system, and it has a direct impact on the respiratory system. With changes in postoperative pulmonary functions, there are limitations in lung volume and capacities such as total lung capacity, vital capacity, and tidal volume. Power breathe devices have been utilised preoperatively in abdominal procedures for inspiratory muscle training and to prevent postpulmonary complications. As a result, the purpose of this study is to see how the power breath device and the threshold IMT device affect inspiratory muscle strength in upper abdominal operations.

Aim: To compare the effect of a power breathe device versus a threshold inspiratory muscle training device on inspiratory muscle strength in patients who had upper abdominal surgery.

Materials and Methods: The present comparative research protocol is planned to be conducted on 60 patients with upper abdominal surgery with reduced inspiratory muscle strength. The expected study duration is of one year from 2022 to 2023.Total subjects will be randomly divided into two groups, Group-A will receive power breathe plus conventional physiotherapy five days per week and Group-B will receive threshold IMT plus conventional physiotherapy five days per week for period of two weeks. Before initiating the intervention, patients will have their PImax (maximal inspiratory pressure) evaluated using hand-held pressure manometer equipment. After two weeks, patients will be reviewed again using the same outcome measures.