Diaphragmatic Breathing Program In Older People

In the present study a program of respiratory physical therapy based on diaphragmatic breathing is applied in institutionalized old people, evaluating lung function parameters (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC) and oxygen saturation. The hypothesis is that a diaphragmatic breathing program applied in elderly people can improve the respiratory system's function and consequently improve their daily life. This program will include learning and performing a diaphragmatic-abdominal breathing, and incorporating the new breathing pattern to a upper and lower limbs maintenance exercises as well as to daily life activities. Methods: randomized and controlled clinical study of respiratory parameters of institutionalized old people. The subjects will be divided into 2 groups: 1) diaphragmatic breathing program and upper and lower limbs maintenance exercises 2) control group which do upper and lower limbs maintenance exercises. There will be 3 treatment sessions during 8 weeks, with evaluations before the study and after 8 weeks, which include: lung function parameters (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, Tiffeneau Index) and pulseoximeter (which includes oxygen saturation and cardiac frequency).