The effects of core stabilization training on dynamic balance and pulmonary parameters in patients with asthma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the literature, novel physiotherapy and rehabilitation approaches are getting significant attention as a way to cope with secondary complications in the management of asthma. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of core stabilization exercises combined with the Asthma Education Program (AEP) and breathing exercises in patients with asthma. METHODS: The study sample consists of 40 asthmatic patients (age 52.25 ± 11.51 years) who were randomly divided into a Training Group (TG) (n= 20) and a Control Group (CG) (n= 20). All subjects were included in the AEP, and both groups were trained in breathing retraining exercises (2 times/wk, 6-week duration in the clinic). The core stabilization exercise program was also applied in the TG. Respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ)), health-related quality of life (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQOL)), functional exercise capacity (six-minute walking test (6MWT)), and dynamic balance (Prokin PK200) were assessed before and after the interventions. RESULTS: The TG showed more significant improvements in MIP (ΔTG:4.55 cmH2O, ΔCG:0.95 cmH2O), IPAQ (ΔTG:334.15 MET-min/wk., ΔCG:99 MET-min/wk.), 6MWT (ΔTG:24.50 m, ΔCG:11.50 m), and dynamic balance sub-parameters compared to the mean difference between the initial assessment and after a 6-week intervention program, which included twelve exercise sessions (p< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The findings present greater improvements in inspiratory muscle strength, physical activity level, functional exercise capacity, and dynamic balance when core stabilization exercises are included in the pulmonary rehabilitation program for the management of asthma.