A Simple Tool For Stroke Rehabilitation: Diaphragmatic Breathing
Image from Research Gate (n.d.)
Disclaimer: Always talk to your doctor before starting a new breathing exercise including diaphragmatic breathing. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure and illness or disease.
What is the Diaphragm?
The diaphragm is a thin dome-shaped muscle in between the chest and abdomen.
It functions as the main muscle of breathing.
It stabilizes the trunk and spine and aids in balance for performing everyday activities of daily living (ADLs) (Lee et al., 2018).
What is Diaphragmatic Breathing?
Diaphragmatic breathing is a relaxation technique in which an individual takes slow, deep breaths in through the nose and then out through the mouth; bringing awareness to the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.
What are the benefits of diaphragmatic breathing for neurological conditions?
Improves static and dynamic balance
Improves upper extremity motor function
Improves respiratory function
Lowers heart rate and blood pressure
Increases blood oxygenation
Reduces stress hormones
Decreases muscle tension
Improves sleep quality
(Lee et al., 2018); (Liu et al., 2021)
What does the research say?
A study by Lee et al. (2022), investigated the effects of diaphragm training on balance in participants with hemiplegia due to stroke. The results found that diaphragm training could lead to improvements in static and dynamic balance (Lee et al., 2018).
Another study measured the effects of diaphragm training on 45 hemiplegia patients after stroke. The results showed the hemiplegic diaphragm function was positively correlated with extremity motor and balance function of the hemiplegia patients (Liu et al., 2022).
Example of diaphragmatic breathing
Ensure the client is in a comfortable seated or reclined position, then ask them to place one or two hands on their belly.
Instruct the client to inhale through their nose and exhale through pursed lips.
Guide them to expand their belly outward with each inhalation and allow it to relax inward with each exhalation.
When used correctly and consistently, diaphragmatic breathing techniques can significantly improve many deficits commonly seen in various neurological conditions, including balance, motor function, and respiratory function. By incorporating these breathing techniques, particularly diaphragmatic breathing, as a simple yet effective tool in occupational therapy, therapists can facilitate lasting benefits for their patients.