Published Paper Details:

Background: Chronic bronchitis is defined as a condition associated with excessive tracheobronchial mucus production to cause cough with expectoration for at least 3 months of the year, for more than 2 consecutive year. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by long-term inflammation and irritation of the bronchial tubes, which brings excess mucus into the airways. This results in chronic cough, excessive sputum production, wheezing, breathlessness, and tightness in the chest. . It is one of the most common respiratory disease and leads to limitation of airflow as well as deteriorating health status. The aim of study is to find out the immediate effect of pursed lip breathing and conventional physiotherapy on breath holding test in chronic bronchitis patients. Materials and Methodology: In this study patients include both males and females between age group 40 to 60 years diagnosed with chronic bronchitis for at least 3 months of the year for more than 2 consecutive year were included in the study. Patients with unstable cardiovascular disease, severe hepatic and renal dysfunction, malnutrition, malignant tumour and severe anaemia, history of taking regular corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents and acute exacerbation of COPD or pneumonia within past 6 weeks were eliminated from the study. 40 male or females with chronic bronchitis in tertiary care hospital were randomly chosen. Pursed lip breathing and conventional physiotherapy is performed in those patients to fill in the required data. Breath holding test is performed to see the significant effect in reduced breathing. The participant signed the consent form willingly. The collected data was statistically analysed for finding. Result: There was significant effect of pursed lip breathing (group A) and conventional physiotherapy (group B) on breath holding test within the group A and B in both groups with more significant effect in group A compared to group B (p=0.002). Also there was significant effect on breath holding test in group A compared with that of group B (p =0.001). Conclusion: On the basis of results we have concluded that the both pursed lip breathing and conventional physiotherapy are effective in reduced breathing in chronic bronchitis patients. We also concluded that pursed lip breathing is more significant than conventional physiotherapy.