Original scientific paper

The Role of Breathing Exercises in the Rehabilitation of Children with Chronic Allergic Respiratory Diseases

Anja Pustaić
Silvije Segulja *
Anja Šegulja Perić
Barbara Kvenic
Magda Martedić Šimac orcid.org/0009-0005-9556-9834
Renata Volkmer Starešina orcid.org/0000-0002-7030-8225

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Objective: Allergic diseases of the lower respiratorytract, such as asthma and chronic allergic bronchitis, areincreasingly prevalent in children. In addition to pharmacological therapy, respiratory rehabilitation, particularly breathing exercises, is an important non-pharmacological approach for symptom control and improvement of lung function. Standard rehabilitation programs usually last three weeks, but the effectiveness of shorter interventions has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a ten-day breathing exercise program on lung function in children with chronic allergic respiratory diseases. Materials and Methods: The study included 42 schoolaged children diagnosed with allergic asthma or another chronic allergic respiratory condition. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 21), which performed daily breathing exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist for 10 days, and a control group (n = 21), which did not participate in the program. The intervention effect was assessed using spirometry (FVC,FEV1, PEF) and chest circumference measurements taken before and after the intervention.Results: The results showed a statistically significantincrease in forced vital capacity (FVC%) in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Other parameters (FEV1%, PEF%) showed a positive but not statistically significant trend. Changes in chest circumference were not significant, although a slight increase was observed in the experimental group.Conclusion: A short, ten-day breathing exercise programcan improve lung function, particularly in terms ofFVC. Future studies should include larger samples, longer follow-up, and evaluation of psychosocial outcomes. Considering their safety and effectiveness, breathing exercises should be regarded as a standard component of respiratory rehabilitation in the pediatric population with chronic allergic respiratory diseases.

Keywords

chronic lung diseases; respiratory rehabilitation; breathing exercises; pediatric asthma; lung function

Hrčak ID:

343556

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/343556

Publication date:

21.1.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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