Objective:

2

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of Liuzijue exercise (LE) for the clinical effect in patients after cardiac surgery.

Methods:

2

Totally 120 patients who underwent cardiac surgery and were admitted to the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between July and Oclober

2022 were allocated to the LE group

the conventional respiratory training (CRT) group

and the control group by a random number table at a ratio of 1:1:1; 40 patients in each group. All patients received routine treatment and cardiac rehabilitation. LE group and CRT group respectively performed LE and CRT once a day for 30 min for 7 days. Control group did not receive specialized respiratory training. The forced vital capacity

forced expiratory volume in 1 s

peak inspiratory flow rate

peak expiratory flow rate

maximum inspiratory pressure

maximum expiratory pressure

modified Barthel index (MBI)

and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) were evaluated before

after 3 and 7 days of intervention. In addition

the postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) and the adverse events that occurred during the intervention period were compared.

Results:

2

A total of 107 patients completed the study

120 patients were included in the analysis. After 3 days of intervention

the pulmonary function

respiratory muscle strength

MBI and HAM-A of all 3 groups improved compared with that before the intervention (

P

<

0.05 or

P

<

0.01). Compared with the control group

pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength were significantly improved in the CRT and LE groups (

P

<

0.05 or

P

<

0.01). MBI and HAM-A were significantly improved in the LE group compared with the control and CRT groups (

P

<

0.05 or

P

<

0.01). On the 7th day after intervention

the difference was still statistically significant (

P

<

0.01)

and was significantly different from that on the 3rd day (

P

<

0.05 or

P

<

0.01). In addition

on the 7th day of intervention

the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in the LE group were significantly improved compared with those in the CRT group (

P

<

0.01). MBI and HAM-A were significantly improved in the CRT group compared with the control group (

P

<

0.01). There were no significant differences in postoperative LOS among the 3 groups (

P

>

0.05). No training-related adverse events occurred during the intervention period.

Conclusions:

2

LE is safe and feasible for improving pulmonary function

respiratory muscle strength

the ability to complete activities of daily living and for relieving anxiety of patients after cardiac surgery (Registration No. ChiCTR2200062964).