• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2022

Background: This study was to determine whether the diaphragmatic breathing exercise using a DiP Belt(Diaphragmatic Pressure Belt) is effective in increasing the diaphragmatic motion and forced vital capacity. Design: Pretest-Posttest design. Methods: A total of 44 subjects(15 male, 29 female) participated in this study. All subjects were measured the diaphragmatic motion with a sonography and the Forced Vital Capacity(FVC) was measured with a digital spirometer. After 4 weeks, the subjects were intervened the diaphragmatic breathing exercise using a DiP belt and were remeasured for diaphragm motion and FVC. Results: After exercise intervention, quiet breathing significantly increased with the change in diaphragmatic motion and showed a moderate effect size (p<.01, Cohen's d = -0.53). In addition, it was significantly increased in deep breathing and showed a high effect size (p<.001, Cohen's d = -1.32). The mean diaphragmatic contraction pressure increased, but there was no significant difference and the peak diaphragmatic contraction pressure increased significantly (p<.05). Both diaphragmatic contraction pressure showed small effect sizes (respectively Cohen's d = -0.28, -0.33). In spirometry, FVC, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁), and FEV₁/FVC% all increased, but there was no significant difference. Only peak expiratory flow increased significantly and showed a small effect size (p<.05, Cohen's d = -0.41). Conclusion: The DiP belt diaphragmatic breathing exercise that the principle of visual feedback can correct diaphragm breathing in a short time, so it is a useful breathing exercise device that can help the diaphragm breathing exercise in the right way in clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.47-53
• /
• 2019

PURPOSE: This study measured the external pressure on abdomen during maximal inspiration. The study determined the correlation between the diaphragmatic contraction pressure and the lung capacities to verify whether or not the measured pressure values can represent diaphragmatic contractility. METHODS: The study included 32 healthy subjects (16 males and 16 females). The researchers fabricated their own diaphragmatic pressure belt (DiP Belt) to measure DCP. DiP Belt device was fixed on the front of the abdomen and the diaphragmatic contractility was measured during maximal inspiration. The lung capacities were measured using a portable digital spirometer device (Pony Fx, COSMED, Italy). A digital spirometer is a device that is used to test the flow of air entering and exiting the lungs. RESULTS: DCP showed significant positive correlations with vital capacity (VC), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) and inspiratory capacity (IC). Among values of lung capacities, IC showed especially strong positive correlations with the DCP (r =.714, p<.010). For the males, DCP showed significant positive correlations with IRV and IC, and DCP showed significant negative correlation with the expiratory reserve volume (ERV). For the females, DCP showed significant positive correlation with tidal volume (VT), but any significant correlation was not found with any of the other values of lung capacities. CONCLUSION: DCP showed high correlations with IRV and IC associated with inspiratory capacity. Therefore, The DiP Belt can be looked upon as a simple device that is very useful for measuring diaphragmatic contractility.