Effectiveness of the breath-stacking technique in the respiratory function of women undergoing bariatric surgery

Abstract

Background: Upper abdominal surgery is associated with a high incidence of pulmonary complications. The breath-stacking (BS) technique is considered a resource with therapeutic potential for rehabilitation nursing. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the BS technique in improving the respiratory function. Methodology: Quasi-experimental study with 36 women undergoing bariatric surgery, distributed into a control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG). The forced vital capacity (FVC), the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), the maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), the peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and the respiratory rate (RR) were evaluated in the pre and postoperative periods. The BS technique was applied to the IG in the pre and postoperative periods. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: Statistically significant postoperative differences were observed between the CG and the IG in FVC (-20.29 vs.-13.60), FEV1 (-23.05 vs.-13.38), MIP (-22.96 vs.-14.93), MEP (-14.10 vs.-10.32), and RF (12.29 vs. 6.45). Conclusion: The BS technique improved the respiratory function of the IG and reversed the predictable changes in the postoperative period of bariatric surgery.