Effect of special breathing techniques on quality of life in elderly individuals

Abstract

Background: Growing age invites many health problems among elderly individuals which, in turn, affect their physical and mental health, leading to reduced social and environmental participation. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of special breathing technique Three-step Rhythmic Breathing (3SRB) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among elderly individuals. \n \nAims and Objectives: The present study aimed to find the effect of special breathing techniques on quality of life in elderly individuals. \n \nMaterials and Methods: Sixty-six elderly individuals (age group of 60\x9680 years) from old-age homes/senior citizen forum of Anand district were recruited by quasi-random sampling into two groups: 36 in Group A (physical exercise program) and 30 in Group B (3SRB with physical exercise program); based on inclusion and exclusion criteria after explaining the study purpose and obtaining the written informed consent. All elderly individuals were assessed for HRQoL (World Health Organization-BREF) before and after 8 weeks of intervention. \n \nResults: Frequency distribution was used to describe the data. The comparison within and between the groups for HRQoL was calculated using paired and unpaired t-test, respectively (P < 0.05). The results demonstrate significant improvement in all four domains of HRQoL in both groups after 8 weeks of training. However, the individuals trained for 3SRB along with physical exercise program had more improvement in HRQoL, especially with regard to physical health, psychological, and environmental domains. \n \nConclusion: 3SRB along with physical exercises promotes better HRQoL among elderly individuals compared to physical exercises alone.