Effects of Ujjayi Pranayama Trainning on Selected Ventilatory Function Test in Patients with Mild Bronchial Asthma
Background: Bronchial asthma is a common disease and an important cause of morbidity among both children and adults. Ujjayi Pranayama Training (UPT) is a technique of controlling and modulating breath, a process through which one attains a state of deep rest, yet active state of mind. Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of 2 months Ujjayi Pranayama Training (UPT) program on Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in first second (FEV 1 as well as the ratio FEV 1 /FVC in patients with mild asthma. Participants: Forty patients (25 men and 15 women) who suffered from mild bronchial asthma for at least 8 years participated in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into; experimental group (Group A) that included 20 asthmatic patients (12 men and 8 women) age (35.85 2.99) and control group (Group B) that included 20 asthmatic patients (13 men and 7 women) age (34.80 3.44) Methods: In both groups patients received Diaphragmatic Breathing (DB) exercise and asthmatic medications. Experimental group received UPT in addition to other interventions. Exercises in both groups were done for 3 sessions weekly over 8 weeks. The two groups were evaluated pre training and after 2 months of training by using computerized spirometer for measuring Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) Forced Expiratory Volume in first second (FEV 1 and their ratio FEV 1 /FVC. Results: The experimental group showed that there is significant increase in both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in first second than the control group (p>0.05) Both groups significantly improved in all parameters after 2 months. Conclusions: This study showed that UPT, combined with medical treatment and diaphragmatic breathing exercise improve FVC, FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC% in patients with mild bronchial asthma. Correspondence to: Dr. Noha Ali Hussein, The Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiopulmonary Disorders Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, 6 th of October University, Egypt