The Effects of Modified Pursed Lips Breathing on Oxygenation Status in Children

ABSTRACT

Respiratory disease in children can contribute to damaged alveoli, frailty of respiratory muscles, reduced lung function, impaired gas exchange, and gas retention in the airway. Such condition may lead to disruption of oxygen status. This study aimed to examine the effects of modified pursed lips breathing (PLB) by blowing into a water-filled bottle through a straw and a party whistle on the oxygenation status in children with oxygenation problems. This study used a quasi-experiment method with a pretest–posttest without a control group design approach. The sample consisted of 32 school-aged children and adolescents who were divided into two intervention groups. Group 1 underwent modified PLB by blowing into a water-filled bottle through a straw and Group 2 was provided with modified PLB by blowing a party whistle. The intervention was conducted one time in a day, in a rest time, for 10 min. The results showed that modified PLB by blowing into a water-filled bottle through a straw was more effective in reducing respiratory rate (RR) and improving oxygen saturation (SpO₂) than modified PLB by blowing a party whistle. Modified PLB intervention by blowing into a water-filled bottle through a straw improved the oxygenation status of children affected by oxygenation problems. This intervention can be implemented as an independent nursing intervention to improve children’s oxygenation status.

KEYWORDS:

• Blowing into a bottle
• child
• oxygenation
• party whistle
• pursed lips breathing

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Directorate of Research Community Engagement, Universitas Indonesia and the children and parents who participated in this research.

Disclosure statement

The Authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Hibah PITTA 2018 funded by DRPM Universitas Indonesia No.1837/UN2.R3.1/HKP.05.00/2018; Directorate of Research and Community Engagement Universitas Indonesia [Hibah PITTA 2018 No.1837/UN2.R3.1/HKP.05.00/2018.].