PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Rafaela Sá AU - Shirley Campos AU - Maira Pessoa AU - Ana Gabriela Cavalcanti AU - Cyda Reinaux AU - Catarina Rattes AU - Guilherme Fregonezi AU - Andrea Aliverti AU - Armele Dornelas de Andrade TI - Acute effect of chest wall muscle stretching on chest wall volumes distribuition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial DP - 2012 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P483 VI - 40 IP - Suppl 56 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P483.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P483.full SO - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40 AB - Inspiratory muscles function is compromised in COPD due to increased loads, reduced mechanical advantage, and increased ventilatory requirements. The hyperinflation of COPD reduces the flow and pressure-generating capacity of the diaphragm Aims: To analyze the acute effects of chest wall muscle stretching on chest wall volumes distribuition in subjects with COPD. Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial, involving 28 COPD patients divided into two groups: 14 subjects to treatment group (TG, mean age 61.79±8.31years) and 14 to control group (CG, 62.38±8.33years). TG was composed for patients that received a program of chest wall muscle stretching and patients allocated in CG remained at rest in the similar conditions as in GT. Respiratory variables were measured during quiet breathing by Opto-Electronic plethysmography (OEP) before and after one intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t-test. Results: Tidal volume (Vt) presented a significant increase immediately after the chest wall muscle stretching in rib cage pulmonary compartment (Vt,rcp, p=0.02), in rib cage abdominal compartment (Vt,rca, p=0.04) and their percentages regarding thoracic wall, Vt,rcp%(p=0.04) and Vt,rca% (p=0.022). Thus, there was a reduction in respiratory rate(p=0.011) and minute ventilation(p=0.03), and a increase in a expiratory time p=0.026). Conclusions: The chest wall muscle stretching has beneficial acute effects on chest wall volume distribuition in patients with COPD. For reason, this technique should be considered to treat these patients.Supported by: CAPES-NF, CNPq, FACEPE.