Physiotherapy in upper abdominal surgery – what is current practice in Australia?

Table 4 Components of breathing exercises

(n = 46)	Never	Rarely	Sometimes	Often	Always
Inspiratory hold	4	4	41	41	9
SMI	9	22	24	37	9
TEE	2	13	26	48	11
Breathing control	2	20	48	26	4
Huff +/− cough	0	0	20	39	41
Proprioceptive facilitation	7	15	46	30	2
Positioning	0	9	13	39	39
Rib springing concept	46	37	15	2	0
PLB	17	35	39	9	0
PEP	7	30	46	17	0
CPAP	37	41	22	0	0
IS	41	35	15	7	2
IPPB	70	24	7	0	0
Other(s) (please specify)	83	9	7	0	2

Values expressed as %. Values in bold represent the most frequently used components of breathing exercises
SMI sustained maximal inspiration, PEP positive expiratory pressure, IS incentive spirometry, TEE thoracic expansion exercises, CPAP continuous positive airway pressure, IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing, PLB pursed lip breathing

ISSN: 2057-0082