Clinical Study

Comparison of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise, Volume and Flow Incentive Spirometry, on Diaphragm Excursion and Pulmonary Function in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Table 5

Comparison of diaphragm excursion before and after the laparoscopic abdominal surgery in the intervention groups and the control group.

Diaphragm excursion (cm)Preoperative (mean ± SD)Postoperative 1st day (mean ± SD)Postoperative 2nd day (mean ± SD)Preoperative versus postoperative 1st day (mean difference)Postoperative 1st day versus postoperative 2nd day (mean difference)Preoperative versus postoperative 2nd day (mean difference)

Diaphragmatic breathing exercise ()4.2 ± .903.3 ± .914.1 ± .990.8 (20.6%)
−0.7 (−22.2%)
0.1 (2.9%)
> 0.20#

Flow incentive spirometry ()4.0 ± 1.02.9 ± 1.03.7 ± 1.01.1 (27.0%)
−0.7 (−24.7%)
0.3 (8.9%)

Volume incentive spirometry ()4.0 ± 0.83.1 ± 0.83.9 ± 0.90.9 (23.7%)
−0.8 (−26.4%)
0.1 (3.5%)
> 0.39#

Control group ()4.0 ± 1.02.8 ± 0.83.4 ± 0.91.1 (28.4%)
−0.5 (−19.0%)
0.5 (14.8%)

% change. #Not significant at . Highly significant at level.