Evaluation of upper extremity flexibility, endurance and functionality in adults with asthma

This study has been conducted to assess the flexibility, endurance and functionality of patients with asthma and compare these patients with a healthy group of people. The population in the study was chosen with the patients who applied to Pulmonary (Chest) Diseases Service and diagnosed as asthma patients. The study included 25 patients with asthma diagnosis and 25 healthy people. Upper extremity flexibilities were evaluated by measuring tape and goniometer, endurance by Eurofit Test Battery Disc Touching Test and functionalities by Arm, Should and Hand Problems Questionnaire (DASH). In the statistical analyses of the data collected, IBM SPSS Statistics 23 package programme was used. In the consequences of the analyses, demographical features of asthma patients and control group were similar (p>0,05). However, the BMI values of astma patients were considerably much higher than the control group (p<0,05). In 100% of asthma patients, there was a diagnosis of asthma story in their families (p<0,05). Upper extremity flexibility of astma patients were deterrmined as relatively lower than the conntrol group (p<0,05). In the evaluation of upper extremity endurance evaluation, Eurofit Test Battery – Disc Touching Test was used. According to test results, the endurance of asthma patient group was determined as notably lower than the control group (p<0,05). In the consequences of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionaire (DASH), the functionalities of asthma patients were found as dramatically weaker than the control group (p<0,05). Consequently, upper extremity flexibility, endurance and functionalies of patients with asthma diagnosis were determined as adversely affected. It is known that flexibility, endurance and functionality might affect one another. Therefore, evaluating these parameters and shaping the program on the basis of these parameters are going to increase the success of the rehabilitation programmes.