Comparison of diaphragmatic excursion during diaphragmatic breathing exercise, volume and flow oriented incentive spirometer in healthy subjects: A randomized cross over trial

Objective: To compare the diaphragmatic excursion of healthy subjects (males and females) during rest and three different types of breathing exercises: Volume-Oriented Incentive Spirometer, Flow-Oriented Incentive Spirometer and Diaphragmatic Breathing. Methods: One Hundred and eleven healthy volunteers (62 male and 49 female) participated in the study. Diaphragmatic excursion was measured using ultrasound, during rest, Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise and the use of the Volume-Oriented Incentive Spirometer and the Flow-Oriented Incentive Spirometer. Results: Diaphragmatic excursion was significantly greater during the Volume-Oriented Incentive Spirometer (6.3±1.4) than Flow-Oriented Incentive Spirometer (5.4±1.4) and Diaphragmatic Breathing exercise (5.2±1.3). During all three types of breathing exercises, males showed a higher diaphragmatic excursion than females. Conclusions: The Volume-Oriented Incentive Spirometer promoted greater diaphragmatic excursion than the Flow-Oriented Incentive Spirometer and the Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise.