Volume-oriented incentive spirometry effect on incentive inspired volume and chest expansion in patients who had invasive thoracic procedures in a tertiary health institution

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Invasive thoracic procedures pose a risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Volume-oriented incentive spirometry (VOIS) encourages deep breathing, which stimulates surfactant production and aids optimal respiratory function, potentially reducing complications such as atelectasis. However, its effects on incentive-inspired volume and chest expansion in patients who had invasive thoracic procedures are poorly understood. This study explored the effects of volume-oriented incentive spirometry on incentive-inspired volume and chest expansions and to observe any association between incentive-inspired volume and chest expansions.

Methods: A pre-test and post-test experimental design was used. Twelve patients who underwent invasive thoracic procedures at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) were recruited. Participants used VOIS twice daily for two weeks. The protocol was done every two hours while the patient was awake. Statistical analyses include paired t-tests and Pearson’s correlation which were used to test the hypotheses.

Results: Nine (75%) of participants were male, with an average age of 38.83 (±18.11) years. Chest expansion at the xiphoid and umbilicus levels showed significant differences respectively (p= 0.009; p=0.011). There was a significant correlation between the incentive-inspired volume and xiphoid and umbilicus chest expansion levels respectively (r =0.66, p =0.02; r = 0.58, p =0.048).

Conclusion: VOIS enhances the expansion of the lower and middle lobes with little impact on the upper lobes and upper chest wall. It has potential benefits in postoperative care regimens for thoracic surgery patients, to optimize respiratory function and capacity.