EFFECTS OF POSTURAL DRAINAGE AND DEEP BREATHING EXERCISES ON DYSPNEA, OXYGEN SATURATION AND LEVEL OF EXERTION IN ELDERLY POST COVID-19 PATIENTS

Abstract

Background and Aim: Elderly patients have reduced lung capacity and decrease respiratory functions due to aging process Different positioning techniques contribute in airway clearance of patients and increase in oxygen saturation level. Therefore, this study aims to find out best intervention to improve dyspnea, level of exertion and quality of life of post COVID elderly group of patients. Methodology: Study Design & Sampling technique: Randomized clinical trial and non-probability convenient sampling technique with sealed envelope Randomization. Study Setting & Participants: National Hospital and Medical Centre-DHA Lahore and 48 patients. The sample size of 48 patients was taken in this study to find the effect of postural drainage and deep breathing exercises. Patients were divided into two groups. Steam was given to both groups as a common treatment. Group A was treated with postural drainage and steam while Group B was treated with deep breathing exercises and steam. Modified Borg‘s Dyspnea, pulse oximetry and RPE scale is used for scoring. Intervention or data collection tools: Postural drainage and deep breathing exercises in 2 groups. Pulse oximetry. The Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale and Perceived exertion scale were tools. Outcome measures: oxygen level, severity of dyspnea and level of exertion. Results: Mean±S.D of patients in Postural drainage was 58.96±6.24 and in deep breathing 59.33±6.38 .pulse oximetery pre value 3.50±0.51, 3.25±0.61 in postural drainage and deep breathing respectively while post values were 1.50±0.59 and 2.25±0.68. For MBD scale pre value was 7.33±0.92, 6.92±1.14in postural drainage and deep breathing respectively while post values were 1.75±1.03and 4.84±0.82 and PES pre value was 6.87±0.81, 4.42±1.10 in postural drainage and deep breathing respectively while post values were 2.42±1.10 and 2.54±1.32 Conclusion: Postural drainage was more effective than deep breathing exercises on dyspnea, oxygen saturation and level of exertion in elderly of post covid-19 patient