Thoracic‐Abdominal Rebalancing Method is Superior in Terms of Decreasing Respiratory Distress, Postoperative Pulmonary Complications and Hemodynamic Variables When Compared to Conventional Physiotherapy in Postoperative Patients of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: Randomized Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Background and Purpose TAR method recommends reorganizing ventilatory muscle synergism, reducing respiratory effort, removing secretions from the lungs and upper airways, in addition to promoting diaphragmatic juxtaposition and increasing respiratory muscle strength and adjusting muscle tone. However, there are few scientific publications on this method in cardiac patients CABG. To evaluate the effects of the TAR method on hemodynamic variables, respiratory distress and pulmonary complications in patients after CABG surgery. Methods This is a single‐blind, randomized, clinical trial. Adults (> 35 years old), hemodynamically stable, who had undergone CABG (< 24 h) and with a prescription for physiotherapy were included. Patients were randomized into two groups: IG ‐ TAR; CG—standard physiotherapeutic approach. Interventions were carried out in two days (twice/day), totaling 04 sessions. The following parameters were evaluated pre‐ and post‐intervention: HR, RR, SpO2, MAP, respiratory distress scale. The pulmonary complications scale was applied at the end of the interventions. The sample consisted of 58 patients, 30 in the CG and 28 in the IG. Results: There was no significant difference ( p < 0.05) in sample characteristics, clinical and perioperative data between groups. There was a significant increase ( p < 0.05) in RR and MAP after the intervention in CG and IG. Only in GI there was a significant reduction in the respiratory distress score ( p = 0.001). Furthermore, there was a lower score ( p < 0.0001) on the scale of pulmonary complications at the end of the interventions in the IG group, compared to the CG. Discussion The TAR method reduced respiratory distress and pulmonary complications in patients after CABG surgery. Given our findings, it becomes feasible to aim for the applicability of the method in other populations, expanding it to other elective or non‐elective surgical conditions, in oncology, traumatology, and neurology, making the recovery process more effective. Keywords: Physiotherapy; Cardiology; Thoracic‐abdominal rebalancing. Trial Registration: NTC 04631198