Incentive Spirometry and Deep Breathing Exercise for Improving Respiratory Volume in Preoperative Spine Surgery Patients

Objective: To investigate the effects of incentive spirometry and deep breathing exercises on forced vital capacity (FVC) and chest expansion in preoperative spine surgery patients. Material & Methods: Fifty-eight patients who were scheduled for spine surgery were recruited from December 2016 to January 2019. Twenty-eight and 30 patients were scheduled for cervical and thoracic/lumbar spine surgery, respectively. All patients were informed of the study protocol, evaluated by a physical therapist, and provided with respiratory training via incentive spirometry and deep breathing exercises. FVC and chest expansion were measured and recorded prior to training, as well as two weeks and four weeks after respiratory training. Results: In preoperative spine patients, FVC and chest expansion were significantly increased (p<0.05) after respiratory training with incentive spirometry and deep breathing exercises. The FVC in a seated position prior to respiratory training, after 2 weeks of training, and after 4 weeks of training is 2,277.9±599, 2,446.6±614.2, and 2,546.5±591.7 milliliters, respectively. The FVC in the supine position prior to respiratory training, after 2 weeks of training, and after 4 weeks of training is 2,080.2±589, 2,268.3±604.3, and 2,365.9±596.1 milliliters, respectively. Chest expansion in a seated position before respiratory training, after 2-week training, and after 4-week training is 4.2±1.3, 4.6±1.2 and 4.7±1.3 centimeters. Chest expansion in supine position before respiratory training, after 2-week training, and after 4-week training is 3.9±1.2, 4.5±1.3 and 4.5±1.2 centimeters respectively. Conclusion: Preoperative respiratory training for 2 weeks and 4 weeks using incentive spirometry and conventional deep breathing exercises significantly increased both FVC and chest expansion in patients undergoing spine surgery.