Background:
In the end of 2019 , urgent threat to global health occurred in the form of Novel Corona Virus. This Virus is considered to be highly contagious Respiratory Disease which leads to severe effect on physical , cardiopulmonary and psychological activities .Physiotherapist are considered highly beneficial in treating respiratory complication and physical deconditioning . Respiratory Interventions for covid pneumonia usually involves Active Cycle of Breathing technique, Relaxation Breathing technique, Huffing Coughing technique , resistive aerobic training , Incentive Spirometry. Out of these Alternate Nostril Breathing and Pursed lip breathing Exercise are two emerging techniques but their efficacy is yet to be evaluated.
Methodology :
This was an experimental study conducted in Liauqat National Hospital Karachi , Pakistan from May 2020 to Nov 2020. Total 40 participants with age group 20 to 60 diagnosed with covid pneumonia admitted in intensive care unit , can coordinate in breathing exercise were included in this study. Total 7 days session were given to participants. Modified Borg Scale was used to measure breathlessness and SPO2 was measured before and after each treatment session
Data was analyzed using spss 22. 0
Results:
The mean age of participants was 50.30± 10.86 , out of which 75% (30) were males and 25%(10) were females . Results showed that both interventions were effective in improving covid pneumonia but Pursed Lip Breathing exercise was statistically more significant (3.17±7.56) (0.01) when compared to alternate nostril breathing (2.92±8.09)(0.02) in covid pneumonia patients. There was significant decreased in Borg Scale scoring after these interventions (1.07±3.01) (0.03).
Conclusion:
Alternate Nostril breathing and pursed lip breathing are non invasive , easy to administer techniques and should be used to improve oxygenation and lung physiological parameters in Covid Pneumonia.
Keywords : Covid Pneumonia, Alternate Nostril breathing , Pursed Lip Breathing , intensive care unit
