Abstract
A purpose of this study is to examine long-term effects of breathing exercise on 11 patients with chronic respiratory failure using the FLUTTER device for more than 8 weeks. The blood gases at rest and 6-minute walk distance were compared before the breathing exercise and after 4 and 8 weeks of start of the exercise. The patients were also asked how they felt in using the device. We found a significant reduction(P<0.05)of PaCO_2 after 8 weeks in comparison with it before the exercise. However, we found no significant differences before and after the exercise in PaO_2 and pH at rest, walking distance, Borg scale, SpO_2 and pulse rate during 6-minute walk test. From these results, it is expected that continuous breathing exercise using the FLUTTER device is useful to improve hypercapnia.
