【論文摘要】Immediate Effects of Diaphragmatic Stretch Technique on Diaphragmatic Mobility, Thickness, Strength, and Ribcage Excursion in Healthy Adults

【論文摘要】橫膈膜牽拉介入對健康人的橫膈膜活動度、厚度、力量及胸廓活動度之立即效應

許意璇(Everlynn Yi-Xuan Hii) ； 林曜男(Yao-Nan Lin) ； 蔡一如(Yi-Ju Tsai)

《物理治療》 46卷2期 (2021/06) Pp. 95-95

https://doi.org/10.6215/FJPT.202106.O01

摘要

Background and Purpose: Primary functions of the diaphragm include as the main respiratory muscle and contributing to the postural stability and spinal control. The diaphragm is located between the thorax and the abdomen and has extensive and complex fascial connections to surrounding organs, muscles, and skeletons. Few studies showed that applying diaphragmatic manual techniques improved the flexibility of posterior chain muscles, spinal range of motions, and ribcage excursions in asymptomatic adults and in patients with low back pain. However, how does the diaphragmatic stretch technique directly influence the mobility, thickness, and strength of the diaphragm is still unclear. The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the immediate effects of the diaphragmatic stretch technique on diaphragmatic mobility, thickness, strength, and ribcage excursion in healthy adults. Methods: A total of ten healthy young adults, aged 23.2 ± 2.3 years old, were recruited. Diaphragmatic mobility, thickness, and strength were measured using the Siemens ultrasonography system. Excursions of the upper, the middle, and the lower ribcage between the maximal inspiration and expiration were measured using a tape ruler. All outcomes were measured before and immediately after the 10-minute diaphragmatic stretching. Paired t-tests were conducted using the SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The diaphragmatic stretch technique significantly improved diaphragmatic mobility (47.253 ± 10.951 mm vs 53.195 ± 9.641 mm, p = 0.029) and strength (139.274 ± 59.256 mm/ s vs 165.337 ± 46.858 mm/s, p = 0.048) but not the thickness (2.249 ± 0.886 mm vs 2.186 ± 0.999 mm, p = 0.874). In addition, the excursion of lower ribcage was significantly improved (4.617 ± 1.337 mm vs 4.183 ± 1.337 mm, p = 0.02) but not the upper (3.383 ± 0.725 mm vs 3.967 ± 1.392 mm, p = 0.188) and middle (4.317 ± 1.270 mm vs 4.367 vs 1.872 mm, p = 0.929) ribcages. Conclusion: Applying a session of the diaphragmatic stretch technique immediately increased the diaphragmatic mobility, strength, and lower ribcage excursion that might affect respiratory functions and spinal stability. Clinical Relevance: Results of this preliminary study provide insight into perspective of the long-term effects of the diaphragmatic stretch technique on symptomatic populations such as patients with low back pain or neck pain.