Comparison of Prolonged Slow Expiration Technique and Lung Squeezing Technique on Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen (SpO2) and Respiratory Rate (RR) in Infants with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Experimental Study

Background: ARDS is characterized by acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, reduced lung compliance, and bilateral radiographic infiltrates with no clinical evidence of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Incidence of ARDS in India, October 2014 varies considerably in clinical trials with a range from 4 to 79 cases per 100 000 persons per year. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of prolonged slow expiration technique and lung squeezing technique along with conventional chest physiotherapy on saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) and respiratory rate (RR) in infants with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Design: An experimental Design Methodology: This study includes 30 participants with ARDS by using a convenience sampling method. The participants were randomly divided into three groups by a random allocation method, Group A (N=10) was treated with conventional physical therapy. Group B (N=10) was treated with prolonged slow expiration technique along with conventional physical therapy. Group C (N=10) was treated with lung squeezing technique along with conventional physical therapy. The participants were treated and improvement was assessed in SpO2 and RR for oxygenation. Results: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. A significant improvement in SpO2 (p<0.05), and RR (p<0.05) between pre and post-treatment stages in all three groups was found. Group C showed a more significant difference than Group A and B in terms of SpO2 and RR. Conclusion: This study concluded that LST and PSE both techniques are superior to the CCP in improving oxygenation and reducing respiratory rate, But LST was more effective than PSE in maintaining oxygenation and respiratory rate which leads to fewer days of stay in the hospital.