ORIGINAL PAPER
Comparison of diaphragmatic breathing versus pursed-lip breathing on trunk control and respiratory muscle strength in stroke patients: a randomised controlled trial
1
Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Pimpri, Pune, India
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Submission date: 2025-04-14
Acceptance date: 2025-12-04
Online publication date: 2026-08-04
Corresponding author
Muskaan Kalra
Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Pimpri, Pune – 411018, India
Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Pimpri, Pune – 411018, India
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Globally, the leading cause of long-term disability is stroke, often resulting in disrupted postural control and impaired respiratory function. Diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing interventions have demonstrated individual benefits for impaired respiratory function. Hence, the aim of the present study was to compare the effects of diaphragmatic versus pursed-lip breathing, both combined with conventional exercises, on trunk control and respiratory muscle strength in stroke patients.
Methods:
The study involved a randomised controlled trial, for which a total of 48 stroke patients were included and were categorised into two groups of 24 each. Group A and group B received diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, respectively, both combined with conventional exercises for five days per week for four weeks. The trunk control (using trunk impairment scale scores) and respiratory muscle strength (using MicroRPM) were the outcome parameters assessed. For statistical analysis, a significance threshold of p < 0.05 was set.
Results:
Both interventions exhibited significant improvements (p < 0.001); however, the diaphragmatic breathing group showed superior clinical outcomes with large effect sizes. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
In stroke patients, when compared to pursed-lip breathing, the diaphragmatic breathing intervention showed greater enhancement in trunk control and respiratory muscle strength.
Globally, the leading cause of long-term disability is stroke, often resulting in disrupted postural control and impaired respiratory function. Diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing interventions have demonstrated individual benefits for impaired respiratory function. Hence, the aim of the present study was to compare the effects of diaphragmatic versus pursed-lip breathing, both combined with conventional exercises, on trunk control and respiratory muscle strength in stroke patients.
Methods:
The study involved a randomised controlled trial, for which a total of 48 stroke patients were included and were categorised into two groups of 24 each. Group A and group B received diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, respectively, both combined with conventional exercises for five days per week for four weeks. The trunk control (using trunk impairment scale scores) and respiratory muscle strength (using MicroRPM) were the outcome parameters assessed. For statistical analysis, a significance threshold of p < 0.05 was set.
Results:
Both interventions exhibited significant improvements (p < 0.001); however, the diaphragmatic breathing group showed superior clinical outcomes with large effect sizes. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
In stroke patients, when compared to pursed-lip breathing, the diaphragmatic breathing intervention showed greater enhancement in trunk control and respiratory muscle strength.
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