Effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on pulmonary function and functional capacity in chronic smoker's v/s non-smokers patients undergoing open abdominal surgery – A study protocol

Background: Abdominal surgeries are performed for the treatment and diagnosis of many diseases. Smokers undergoing abdominal surgery, are high risk population, having underlying pathological changes in lung parenchyma due to inflammatory effect of smoking. Site of incision and history of smoking may significantly affect pulmonary function such as FVC and FEV1. Respiratory muscle training pre-operatively has shown significant improvement of pulmonary function compare to only conventional therapy and has led to reduction of PPCs, length of hospital stay and cost. This study aims to find effectiveness of IMT in chronic smokers undergoing abdominal surgery and its significance in reduction of PPC and in pulmonary function and functional capacity as compared to non-smokers. Methodology: This study protocol is observational cohort study comparing smoker and non-smoker participants undergoing abdominal surgery. The participants will be assessed for pulmonary function test and functional capacity (6MWD); pre-operatively and post-operatively day 1 till the day of discharge. Both the groups will receive IMT and conventional chest Physiotherapy from POD1 and increment of IMT will be done by assessing MIP each day. Dissemination: We plan to publish this review in a peer-reviewed journal. We may also present this review at local and/or national conferences.