Effect of Breathing Exercise on Certain Physiological Parameters, Sleep Quality and Vitality in Elderly

Objective: To determine the effect of breathing exercises on certain physiological parameters, sleep quality and vitality in the elderly. Method: In this randomized controlled, experimental study, pre and post tests were applied to 26 elderly participants in the intervention group and to 25 elderly patients in the control group. The intervention group underwent breathing exercises for 30 minutes at the same time of the day, three days a week for three months (pursed-lip breathing exercise, deep breathing exercise, coughing exercise), while no such exercise was carried out by the control group. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Subjective Vitality Scale, spirometer, sphygmomanometer and pulse oximetry device measurements were used for the collection of data. The data was evaluated with an independent sample t-test, a paired-sample t-test and a two-way repeated measures ANOVA.