Physiotherapy as a Supplementary Treatment in Patients with Obstructive Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

Believing that there are currently around 120 million people with asthma and bronchitis mainly among the children and the elderly, the Ministry of Health is bringing qualified physiotherapists to work together with professionals from the Family Health program, to provide outpatient and home care in order to improve the quality of life of these patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the benefits of physical therapy intervention in patients affected by respiratory diseases, aiming to offer these patients an improvement in their lung capacity, making them more resilient to crises. The protocol consisted of Kinesiotherapy programs, such as global stretching, especially in the accessory breathing muscles and strengthening the abdominal and upper limbs, pulmonary physiotherapy through the implementation of respiratory patterns, implementation of specific techniques such as MARPA, PET and TEF performed as active-assisted or passive, clearance maneuvers and bronchial and nasal hygiene maneuvers like taping, vibrocompression, inhalation therapy. Some techniques were actively performed by the patient, with the aid of sticks, balloons, whistles, balls, among other resources. The results pointed out that none of the 7 patients who received physical therapy monitoring had to be admitted at hospitals during the treatment and only 2 still make use of medication, but with less frequency. All reported improvement in the quality of life in general, and the physiotherapeutic treatment received wide acceptance by members of the FHP. The respiratory therapy has been gaining prominence within the family health team because a great number of patients have been joining the treatment, increasingly reporting significant improvement in their clinical status.