• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1304-1313
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• 1999

Breathing is essential for life and at the same time takes a role as a antidote for stress. In the Orient, it was recognized early that respiration, mind, and body have a relation that is inseparable and therefore proper breathing is so important. However, since the mechanism of therapeutic effect by breathing have not been verified, the treatment has been continued till recent years. From that which originated in the Orient, several techniques in the west have been developed to regulate breathing, and have been applying to the clinical situation and to studies, however scientific studies are still lacking. Recently, relaxed breathing has been used as an efficient strategy for breathing therapy as it has an effect on reducing physiological tension and arousal, and, therefore can be used as a basic technique to control or manage stress. In this study, in order to provide basic information and guidelines for clinical application, which will aid in the application of the theoretical basics of breathing therapy and its technique, a review of the literative was conducted. The findings are as follows: 1. Since proper breathing not only has, physically, the important function in supplying oxygen to the body but also gives a good emotional, or pleasant state of mind, it is the first step in controlling physical and mental health. 2. The basic types of breathing can be classified into two types; ‘diaphragmatic breathing(relaxed breathing)’ and ‘chest breathing(stress breathing)’. In yoga type breathing, there are four kinds of breathing, ‘upper breathing’, ‘mid breathing’, ‘down breathing’, and ‘complete breathing’. 3. The theoretical explanation of the positive thera peutic effect of breathing therapy techniques exemplifies good brain function, sufficient air flow through the nasal passages, diaphragmatic movement, light vagal stimulation, CO2 changes and cognitive diversion but in most studies, the hypothesis of CO2 is supported. 4. The technique of breathing is designated with many names according to the muscles and techniques used for breathing, and for control of stress, diaphragmatic breathing(relaxed breathing) is explained as a basic technique best used to manage of stress. 5. The relaxed-breathing includes slow diaphragmatic breathing, breath meditation, nasal breathing, yogic abdominal breathing, Benson's relaxed response, and quiet response.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.113-123
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• 2024

Objective: The study analyzed the awareness of physical therapists regarding correct breathing methods and the effect of breathing training on patients. Design: A cross-sectional survey study. Methods: Physical therapists who agreed to participate in the study, held a license as a physical therapist, and had training or experience in breathing were included as subjects. A total of 136 questionnaires were collected, out of which 129 were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of 26 items, divided into several sections covering awareness of breathing methods, breathing and muscles, breathing and mind, breathing and movement, perception of mouth breathing and nose breathing, experience applying respiration as a treatment, perception of breathing and treatment, awareness of breathing and pain, awareness of breathing and chronic diseases and prevention, perceptions related to breathing and sleep, and educational background. Results: The study found that most therapists were aware of diaphragmatic breathing, but not Lamaze breathing. 76.7% claimed to that there is a correct breathing method, and the majority were aware of the reasons for correct breathing. The majority believed in the therapeutic effect of breathing, with core exercise breathing training being the most commonly used in therapy. 81.7% of therapists had taught a specific breathing method to a patient, and diaphragmatic breathing was the most provided treatment. There was no significant difference in perception according to clinical experience, but there was a significant difference in perception according to educational background. Conclusions: The study provided clinical background on Physical Therapists' belief on correct breathing method, and uses of breathing training during treatment. The results suggest there is a need for a coherent education on breathing method and techniques among Physical Therapists.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.2113-2118
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• 2020

Background: Patients with stroke have core muscle weakness and limited rib cage movement, resulting in restrictive lung disease. Objectives: To examine the comparison of effects of rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise and diaphragmatic breathing exercise on the pulmonary function and chest circumference in patients with stroke. Design: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-four patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise group) and control group (diaphragmatic breathing exercise group). Patients in the experimental group underwent rib cage joint mobilization for 15 min and diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 15 min. The control group underwent diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 30 min. Both groups underwent exercise thrice a week for 4 weeks. The pulmonary function and chest circumference were measured using the MicroLab spirometer and a tape measure, respectively. Results: After the intervention, the pulmonary function and chest circumference significantly improved in both groups. These improvements were significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the control group. Conclusion: Rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise improves pulmonary function and chest circumference in patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.278-292
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• 2023

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effects of thoracic joint mobilization and breathing exercises on diaphragmatic thickness, chest expansion, respiratory function, and endurance in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: The study included 24 chronic stroke patients who were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (12 people) performed 15 minutes of thoracic joint mobility exercises and 15 minutes of breathing exercises, three times a week for 6 weeks, 30 minutes each time. The control group (12 people) received 15 minutes of conservative physical therapy and 15 minutes of breathing exercises, 3 times a week for 6 weeks, 30 minutes per session, the same as the experimental group. The experimental and control groups performed the same breathing exercises. To assess training effectiveness, changes in diaphragm thickness, chest expansion, respiratory function, and endurance were measured. Results: As a result, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in diaphragm thickness, chest expansion, and respiratory function. The endurance mode also displayed significant enhancement (p<0.05), a finding consistent with the control group. However, the experimental group displayed more substantial improvements in non-affected diaphragm thickness and thoracic expansion compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Drawing from these findings, breathing exercise which combine thoracic mobilization, will be actively utilized in addition to physical therapy interventions in clinical trials as an effective intervention method.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of closed chain breathing exercise on thorax circumference increase and ROM of shoulder rotation for cervical vertebral cord injury patient's. Methods : 12 cervical vertebral cord injury patients volunteer to participate in this study. closed chain breathing exercise group of 4 subjects performed exercise three time a week. The deep breathing exercise group and general exercise group of 4 subjects performed exercise three time a week. We analyaed the descriptive statistics and $3{\times}2$ repeated measures ANOVA by SPSS 12.0 for window. Results : In comparison of rotation of shoulder ROM between pre and post value, the increase of rotation ROM of shoulder was significant in the closed chain breathing exercise group(p<.05). Conclusion : The closed chain breathing exercise helped to increased rotation ROM of shoulder.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether changes in electromyography (EMG) activations of spinal stability muscles with respiratory demand change were due to changes in respiratory demand or in postural demand. Methods: Forty healthy subjects (19male, 21female, $20.8{\pm}1.9$years old) performed quiet breathing and four different forced respiratory maneuvers (FRM) (Pulsed Lip Breathing, Diaphragmatic Breathing, Combination breathing, and respiratory muscle endurance training breathing) while in sitting and standing positions. EMG data for four muscles (TrA/IO, EO, RA, and ES) were collected and filtered using a band pass filter (20~200Hz) and a notch filter (60, 120, 180Hz). Results: There were no significant differences on percentage of change on %MVIC between QB and FRM (PLB, CB, DB, and RMET) between positions (all p>0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-327
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on activation of trunk muscles of patients with low back pain. Diaphragmatic breathing may affect activation of trunk muscles. The assumptions are as follows: the crural diaphragm attatches to the lumbar vertebrae from L1 to L3, the voluntary downward pressurization of the diaphragm increases intra-abdominal pressure, and this increases the stiffness of the spine. Diaphragmatic breathing increases intra-abdominal pressure and the increased intra-abdominal pressure may contribute to the lumbar stability. Sixty patients with low back pain were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise with six breathing positions and control group performed only the breathing positions for five times per week during six weeks. % maximal voluntary contraction(% MVC) of trunk muscles on six breathing positions of experimental and control group was measured according to testing period of pre test, three weeks, and six weeks. The repeated measures of one-way ANOVA were used to analyze % MVC on trunk muscles of experimental and control group according to testing period. The results of this study were as follows: First, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in the right leg extension position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Second, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in all-four positions indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Third, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the sitting position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fourth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the standing position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fifth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the supine position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Sixth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the lying on prone position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, as experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise according to the period of pre-test, post three weeks, and post six weeks, experimental group showed the greater significant effect on the activation of right, left erector spinae, and external oblique muscle. Diaphragmatic breathing exercise which resulted in activation of trunk muscles can be effective for managing the patients with back pain and should be utilized as the new therapeutic intervention.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2014

Background : This study is for respiratory muscle activity and chest expansion through practice abdominal breathing exercises. Methods : The subjects were consisted normal 30 persons(15 males and 15 females). The control group to 15 people to compare group and 15 people for the abdominal breathing exercise group through lip retraction movement of the therapist with the resistance of mediated abdominal breathing exercises. For 8 weeks EMG was used to know the changes in respiratory muscle. We also found out the changes in chest expansion. And the t-test was conducted to analyze among the compared group, the abdominal breathing group the differences between before and after the experiment. Results : On the changes in respiratory muscle muscular activity in the transverse abdominis have shown significant results(p<.05), and the change in chest expansion was no significant(p>.05). Conclusion : Various breathing exercises in future research on intervention programs can be studied to promote the public if the functional status is considered to be of much help.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.187-197
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes in the muscle activity of the trunk stabilizer muscles before and after incorporating Pilates breathing during three types of Pilates chair exercises. Methods: This study included 33 healthy men and women in their 20's; they were recruited according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. sEMG was used to measure the changes in the muscle activity in the internal oblique/transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae during the three types of Pilates chair movements (footwork, twist footwork, and bridging) without and with the Pilates breathing integration. The muscle activities of the trunk stabilizers between without and with Pilates breathing were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: The internal oblique/transverse abdominis showed an increase and a significant difference in the muscle activity in all three movements of footwork, twist footwork, and bridging after the Pilates breathing integration (p<.001). The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (p<.05) and the erector spinae (p<.05) also increased and showed a significant difference after the Pilates breathing incorporation, except in the bridging movement for the erector spinae. The increase in the rate after integrating Pilates breathing was relatively greater in internal oblique/transverse abdominis than in other muscles. Conclusion: When Pilates breathing was applied, the activities of the trunk stabilizer muscles increased significantly and immediately in all three movements of Pilates chair footwork, twist footwork, and bridging. This means that the use of breathing is expected to have a positive and immediate effect on the activation of trunk stabilizers, thus indicating that it can possibly be an effective re-enforcing tool to promote trunk stability when it is integrated to the Pilates chair exercise. Incorporating Pilates breathing also seemed to have a tendency to activate the deep trunk stabilizer muscles more than the superficial stabilizer muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.229-233
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aims to verify the effects of Pilates exercise using the three-dimensional (3D) Schroth breathing technique on scoliosis patients in comparison with the existing Pilates exercise technique, which uses lateral breathing. Methods: The subjects were 16 scoliosis patients who went to S fitness center in Daegu, Korea. They were randomly and equally divided into a Schroth Pilates exercise group (SPEG), who performed Pilates exercise using 3D Schroth breathing, and a Pilates exercise group (PEG) who performed Pilates exercise using lateral breathing. The subjects conducted the Pilates exercise three times per week for 12 weeks. Changes in their Cobb's angle, angle of trunk rotation, and chest expansion ability were measured before and after the exercise. Results: Both groups experienced significant improvement in their Cobb's angle, angle of trunk rotation, and chest expansion ability after the exercise (p<0.05). Between-group comparison after the exercise showed that SPEG's improvement in Cobb's angle, angle of trunk rotation, and chest expansion ability were more significant than those of the PEG (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study verified that Pilates exercise using 3D Schroth breathing was more effective in improving scoliosis patients'physical condition than existing Pilates exercise. The researcher anticipates that the 3D Schroth breathing technique will be effectively utilized in other diverse intervention exercises besides Pilates exercise.