Effects of three kinds of respiratory training methods on pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with thoracic cancer radiotherapy / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of three kinds of respiratory training methods on pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with thoracic cancer radiotherapy. Methods A total of 76 patients with thoracic cancer were divided into the control group (20 cases), the retracting-lip breathing group (19 cases), the blowing balloons group (18 cases), and the resisting respiratory exercise group (19 cases) by the draw method. Based on conventional health services, the retracting-lip breathing group, the blowing balloons group, and the resisting respiratory exercise group were given respiratory training (one month), whereas the control group only followed routine nursing care. The pulmonary function and quality of life were measured at the first and the thirtieth day of radiotherapy by electronic pulmometer and quality of life instruments for cancer patients-general module respectively. Results The indicators of pulmonary function at thirtieth day of patients in each group were lower than those at the first day, the intragroup differences were significantly (t=2.17-6.32, P0.05). Scores of quality of life of the retracting-lip breathing group were (78.74±5.51) points, the blowing balloons group were (78.43 ± 7.41) points, the resisting respiratory exercise group were (79.11 ± 8.84) points, which were significantly increased than that of control group (73.01 ± 7.46) points(F=3.00, P < 0.05). Conclusions The pulmonary function of patients with thoracic cancer radiotherapy significantly reduces after radiotherapy. Three kinds of respiratory training show no effects on pulmonary function, but the quality of life of patients with thoracic cancer radiotherapy could be improved.