Figure 1
Ezra platform
Source: Author’s contribution.
Figure 2
Subject standing in the platform
Source: Author’s contribution.
Figure 3
Subject performing breathing exercise
Source: Author’s contribution.
Figure 4
Consort flow diagram
Source: Author’s contribution.
Table 1
Descriptive statistics on age and body mass index (BMI) of thoracoabdominal breathers
| Variables | n | Minimum | Maximum | Mean value ± SD | Women (n = 49) | Men (n = 38) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean value ± SD | Mean value ± SD | |||||
| Age (years) | 87 | 18 | 26 | 21.02 ± 1.81 | 21.10 ± 1.91 | 20.92 ± 1.69 |
| BMI | 87 | 14.15 | 38.28 | 23.66 ± 4.59 | 23.75 ± 5.01 | 23.54 ± 4.03 |
Source: Author’s contribution.
Table 2
Comparison of pre and post values of right and left maximum pressure, hind foot pressure, and midfoot, fore foot, and toes pressures of thoracoabdominal breathers
| Variable | Side | Pre-test mean value ± SD | Post-test mean value ± SD | Mean difference (post–pre) | 95% CI | t (df = 86) | p value | Cohen’s d | Adjusted p † |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum pressure (kPa) | Right | 86.54 ± 30.35 | 91.19 ± 34.90 | 4.65 | −0.47 to 9.77 | −1.49 | 0.139 | 0.14 | 1.00 |
| Left | 77.11 ± 22.04 | 84.04 ± 25.95 | 6.93 | 2.34–11.52 | −2.98 | 0.004* | 0.32 | 0.032 | |
| Hindfoot pressure (kPa) | Right | 66.73 ± 9.62 | 68.47 ± 9.43 | 1.74 | 0.25–3.23 | −2.32 | 0.020 | 0.24 | 0.160 |
| Left | 66.11 ± 9.63 | 67.08 ± 11.41 | 0.97 | −0.52 to 2.46 | −1.17 | 0.241 | 0.11 | 1.00 | |
| Midfoot + forefoot + toes (kPa) | Right | 33.18 ± 9.70 | 31.51 ± 9.42 | −1.67 | −3.17 to −0.17 | 2.21 | 0.020 | 0.23 | 0.160 |
| Left | 33.93 ± 9.63 | 32.92 ± 11.40 | −1.01 | −2.61 to 0.59 | 1.24 | 0.218 | 0.13 | 1.00 |
†Bonferroni correction applied (α = 0.0063).
*Statistically significant after correction.
Source: Author’s contribution.
Figure 5
Comparison of pre and post values of right and left maximum pressure, hind foot pressure, and midfoot, fore foot, and toes pressures of thoracoabdominal breathers
Source: Author’s contribution.