Enhancing Thoracic Expansion in Active Smokers: The Impact of Deep Breathing Exercises –An Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Smoking is a significant risk factor for respiratory disorders and contributes to reduced thoracic expansion. In Indonesia, the prevalence of active smokers remains high, negatively impacting lung capacity and respiratory function. Deep Breathing Exercise (DBE) has the potential to enhance thoracic expansion and improve pulmonary ventilation mechanisms, making it a promising respiratory rehabilitation intervention.

Methods: This study employed a pretest-posttest experimental design with a single group and no control group. The research was conducted in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, involving 34 active smokers aged 25–45 years who smoked at least five cigarettes per day for more than one year. Individuals with COPD, asthma, or musculoskeletal chest disorders were excluded. The intervention lasted four weeks, with sessions conducted thrice weekly, each lasting 15 minutes. The thoracic expansion was measured using a flexible measuring tape at the axilla, the 4th–5th ribs, and the xiphoid process. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test.

Results: Deep Breathing Exercise significantly increased thoracic expansion (p < 0.05). The average increase in expansion was 1.2 cm at the axilla, 1.0 cm at the 4th–5th ribs, and 0.8 cm at the xiphoid process.

Conclusion: Deep breathing Exercises enhance thoracic expansion in active smokers and can be utilized as a respiratory rehabilitation strategy. This exercise has the potential to be integrated into pulmonary rehabilitation programs to improve respiratory capacity and quality of life in active smokers. Further studies using a randomized controlled trial design are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Keywords: Deep Breathing Exercise, active smokers, thoracic expansion, lung capacity, breathing exercise.