THE EFFECT OF INCENTIVE SPIROMETRY AND OSCILLATORY POSITIVE EXPIRATORY PRESSURE THERAPIES ON FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY, DYSPNEA, AND SATURATION IN BURN PATIENTS WITH INHALATION INJURY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of incentive spirometry (Triflo) and oscillatory positive expiratory pressure therapy (use of Acapella) in addition to standard pulmonary physiotherapy exercises on functional capacity, dyspnea, and saturation levels in burn patients with inhalation injury. Method: A total of 24 patients hospitalized in the intensive care and service units of the Gaziantep City Hospital Burn Center were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups using stratified randomization method. The first group received standard physiotherapy exercises in addition to medical and surgical treatment, the second group received incentive spirometry (Triflo) in addition to this standard treatment, and the third group received standard treatment+oscillatory positive expiratory pressure therapy (Acapella). All groups were followed for 4 weeks. Six-minute walk test (6MWT), dyspnea modified medical research council (MMRC) scale, and saturation values were compared for all groups before and after treatment. Results: A total of 24 patients, 22 males and 2 females, aged 19-63 (38.66±16.77), were included in the study. When the initial and final week measurements of the six-minute walk test, dyspnea scale (MRC), and saturation values of all groups were compared, no difference was found (p>0.05). Conclusion: Oscillatory positive expiratory pressure therapy (Acapella Use) and incentive spirometry (Triflo) can be given in addition to standard physiotherapy exercises in burn patients with inhalation injury. These exercises are equally effective in the functional capacity, dyspnea, and saturation levels of burn patients with inhalation injury.