ANALYSIS OF THE RESPIRATORY MECHANICS AFTER A HEART-LUNG REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN OBESE INDIVIDUALS.

Abstract

The intention of the present study was to evaluate the respiratory mechanics through the analysis of the muscular strength (Maximum Inpiratory Pressure-IPMax and Maximum Expiratory Pressure-EPMax), of pulmonary volumes (volume minute - VM and volume chain-VC) and of the slow vital capacity (SVC) in obese patients, before and after a cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program. 33 obeses patients with ICM above of 30Kg/m ² have been evaluated, both sexes, with age ranging 18 to 65 years, with or without associated co-morbidities, however, 13 patients withdrew from the program. The study was carried through in the period between 04/24 to 09/04/06 in the Clinic of the Potiguar University. As instrument of collection of data a fiche of adapted evaluation record of Regenga (2000) and Coast (2003) were used, respiratory evaluation (IPMax, EPMax, VC, VM SVC). The study began after the signing of a free and conscious consent term. After that an adapted program of cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation of Regenga (2000) and the Pulmonary rehabilitation program of the UNIFESP were applied, during 03 months, 03 times per week. For statistical analysis the Wilcoxon Test was used, in order to verify if significant difference between the observations exists, before and after the cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program. As a result we got improvement for IPMax -69.75 average pre-habilitation and post-rehabilitation -78.25 with p= 0.0437, pre-rehabilitation average EPMax of +73.5, post-habilitation +94.00 with p=0.0002, average VM pre-rehabilitation of 758.72, post-habilitation 992.86 with p=0.009, average VM pre-rehabilitation of 10612.3, post-habilitation 15068.75 with p=0.0064 and average SVC pre-rehabilitation of 2456.95, post-habilitation 3539.45 with p=0.0003. In the face of the analysis of the results, we conclude that the application of the Cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program for three months in obese individuals promoted significant improvement in the values of the IPMax, EPMax, VC, VM and of the SVC. We suggest the continuity of the study to validate the benefits promoted by the cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program.