Abstract

Background: Respiratory tract infections are the major cause of morbidity and mortality among children and are responsible for around 12 million under-five deaths in a year.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of breathing exercises as play method on cardiopulmonary parameters among children with acute respiratory tract infections.

Materials and Methods: True experimental pretest and posttest design was used. A total of 67 children aged 3–12 years having acute respiratory tract infections were randomly divided into experimental (34) and control group (33). The data collection tool included baseline information of participants, cardiopulmonary parameters assessment, and pediatric dyspnea scale. Pretest data were collected in both the groups. Balloon blowing breathing exercises were administered to the experimental group. Post interventional cardiopulmonary parameters were assessed after 1 week in both the groups.

Result: The mean posttest heart rate (96.47), respiration rate (25.47), and Spo2 (95.2) of the experimental group was significantly near to normal as compared to control group. The mean posttest cough score (1.62), breath sound score (2.18), chest expansion score (2.16), and dyspnea score (3.74) of experimental group was significantly low than the control group. There was significant association between cardiopulmonary parameters and selected demographic variables.

Conclusion: Breathing exercises have advantageous effects on cardiopulmonary parameters among children with acute respiratory infections.

Key words: Acute Respiratory Tract Infections; Breathing Exercises; Cardiopulmonary Parameters; Play Method