ABSTRACT
Background: Dyspnea is the main symptom suffered by bronchial asthma patients who are even under medical treatment. This study was aimed to evaluate the use of alternate nostril breathing as an adjuvant treatment modality to improve the level of dyspnea in patients with bronchial asthma.Methods: Patients who were diagnosed to have bronchial asthma for more than 6 months with the modified Borg dyspnea score of more than 3 and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) for one second less than 80% included in the study. Anulom Vilom Pranayama was instructed to practice daily for 10 minutes for 4 weeks. The level of dyspnea in pre and post test was conducted using modified Borg dyspnea scale after doing six minute walk. Spirometer was used to assess the FEV1. The data was analysed statistically.Results: Twenty patients were included in the study. Majority belonged to the age group of 20-29 with female dominance and no history of smoking. There was a significant (p = 0.0001) reduction in dyspnea after practicing Anulom Vilom Pranayama for one month. The median of Borg dyspnea scale in the pre-test was 4.5 and that of post-test was 3.5. The mean FEV1 score in the pre-test was 57.20 and that of post-test was 68.75 which was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0001).Conclusions: One-month anulom vilom pranayama daily for 10 minutes improved the Borg dyspnea scale and FEV1 score. This indicates it as an effective intervention in reducing the level of dyspnea in chronic bronchial asthma patients
ABSTRACT
Background: Pleural effusions commonly occur in patients with advanced cancer and tuberculosis. Pleural aspiration by the conventional tube thoracostomy using large bore chest tube-intercostal drain (ICD) - can often cause discomfort to patients. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of drainage of pleural effusions using flexible small bore Pleural Catheter (PC) and ICD. Methods: In this prospective study, 101 patients (age 16-65 years) with pleural effusions were divided into PC (n=60) and ICD (n=41) groups. Responses were evaluated and analyzed statistically. Results: The PC group was equally efficacious as ICD with regard to complete re-expansion of lung. The most common complication in the PC group was block (9/60 i.e. 15%). Difference in the mean number of days on drain in the PC (4.9 days) and ICD group (5.8 days) as well as the mean number of times analgesics administered in the PC (2.85 days) and the ICD group (7.53 days) were statistically significant (p <0.05). Similarly, the complications such as surgical emphysema, haemorrhage, desaturation and hypotension were high in the conventional group when compared to that of PC group (p <0.05). Conclusions: Flexible small bore intercostal catheter is a valid and safe option for drainage of pleural effusion when compared to the conventional tube thoracostomy.