The effect of lumbar stabilitation exercises on pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle strength, asthma control and functional capacity in children with atopic asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by increased bronchial airway sensitivity and reversible air obstruction with different stimuli, which can resolve by itself or with treatment. Recurrent inflammations of the airways increase the frequency of asthma attacks in children and decrease physical performance. Due to the pressure exerted by intense exercise on the airways, asthmatic children stay away from exercise, this time, their functional capacity is reduced and their daily qualifications are limited. In the light of all these data, this study aims to evaluate functional capacity, respiratory parameters, respiratory muscle strength and asthma control by giving lumbar stabilization exercise training to children with atopic asthma. The study included children aged 7-17 diagnosed with atopic asthma in the Department of Pediatric Chest Diseases, Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital, and referred to the Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. A total of 24 children, 12 in the study group and 12 in the control group, participated in the study. Demographic and clinical information of the subjects in the study and control groups were recorded at the beginning of the study, followed by respiratory muscle strength, with mouth pressure measurements (MIP and MEP), respiratory functions with spirometric pulmonary function test, asthma control with asthma control test and functional capacities with six minute walk test (6MWT). While the control group continued to take the standard medical treatment of the pediatric pulmonologist, the study group received training for eight weeks of lumbar stabilization as well as medical therapy. After eight weeks, the same tests were repeated for both groups. Core (body) stabilization exercise training protocol was applied to the study group. Paired Sample T-test or Wilcoxon test; For comparisons between groups, Independent Samples T-test or Mann Whitney U test was used. The significance level was accepted as p <0.05 for all analyzes. Demographic characteristics were not associated with asthma control (p> 0.005). While no significant improvement was observed in respiratory functions of the study group who applied lumbar stabilization exercises, a significant improvement was observed in respiratory muscle strength (p = 0.002) and functional capacity (p = 0.041). After eight weeks of treatment, a significant improvement was observed in the asthma control in both groups (p = 0.002 and p = 0.036). Benefit from regular and controlled exercise and sports activities was observed children with atopic asthma. Therefore, children with asthma should be encouraged to do so.