Löwhagen O, Bergqvist P. Physiotherapy in asthma using the new Lotorp method.
Complement Ther Clin Pract 2014;
20:276-9. [PMID:
25130138 DOI:
10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.07.004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 05/31/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Physiotherapy in bronchial asthma has given various results.
AIM
To test a new method focusing on breathing exercise and massage of the thoracic muscles.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Twenty-eight adult patients with a physician-diagnosed asthma were studied during 6 weeks. All patients were prescribed asthma medication. The new method [active group, n = 17) was compared with physical training (control group, n = 12).
RESULTS
PEF was significantly improved (p = 0.001) in the active group, however, FEV1 showed no significant change. The symptoms "tightness of the chest", "difficult breathing in", "air hunger", and the individually dominating symptom (p = 0.001) were significantly reduced in the active group. Exercise-induced breathing troubles and chest expansion were also significantly reduced.
CONCLUSION
Physiotherapy including breathing exercise and massage of the thoracic muscles (the Lotorp method) in patients with physician-diagnosed asthma resulted in significantly reduced respiratory symptoms during rest and exercise and increased chest expansion. The improvements may be due to an increased mobility of the chest and diaphragm.
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