Respiratory Muscle Strength Training for Bariatric Patients - A Personal Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to examine how a respiratory training protocol, consisting of: Respiratory muscle strength training, oropharyngeal exercises and diaphragmatic breathing support training affect the outcomes, both quality of life (QOL) and physiological measures, experienced by morbidly obese bariatric patients who are long-term residents at a skilled nursing facility in Scottsdale, AZ. Osborn Health and Rehabilitation focuses on meeting the short-term and long-term needs of individuals with diverse health needs. However, this facility focuses its long-term rehabilitative care on morbidly obese (Bariatric) patients, with a tailored program of both Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapists trained in the specialized needs of this population. As such, they previously identified a deficit in the program that included breath support training. The primary investigator (PI) was tasked with developing a supplemental voice and breath support training program to address their specialized needs. All participants in this research study are current patients of the Osborn Bariatric Program and informed consent was provided by all participants. Data collection occurred via survey completed by the participants, followed by a thematic analysis (Guest, Macqueen, & Namely, 2011) performed to identify and code the developing themes for future analysis. A review of the themes generated indicate that the participants placed value on QOL measures more than physiological measures and all identified what they reported as “positive changes” and “improvements” that they attributed to participation in breath support and vocal training treatment.