THE EFFECTS OF BIOFEEDBACK-ASSISTED BREATHING RETRAINING ON LUNG FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

This study examines the effects of respiratory muscle feedback and bre athing retraining (BRT) on lung function in patients with cystic fibro sis (CF). Twenty-six patients with CF were matched for age and severit y of disease. Standard respiratory spirometry was performed on ah subj ects before and after biofeedback training. Thirteen experimental subj ects underwent eight sessions of pneumographic or strain-gauge feedbac k from the abdominal muscles and electromyogram feedback from accessor y respiratory muscles to assist in learning diaphragmatic and pursed-l ips breathing maneuvers. Control subjects received biofeedback-assiste d (hand warming) relaxation training. Results revealed a significant i mprovement in FEV(1) and mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of forced vital capacity (FVC) for the biofeedback group, while the control group showed no change. A similar trend was noted for FVC. These data suggest that respiratory muscle feedback and BRT may impro ve lung function in patients with CF.