Effect of Body Position on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Individuals Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Objective: This study aims to compare the influence of body position on peak expiratory flow rate which has been used as a measure of huffing. Body position influences the rib cage mechanics and thereby influencing the strength of huff. The four positions used in this study were standing, chair sitting, long sitting and three quarter sitting the study. 43 male subjects who underwent elective CABG, aged 40yrs- 80yrs were taken. The subjects were positioned in random order in the 4 test positions and PEFR values were recorded in the four positions. The difference in PEFR values between the test positions were significant except between chair-sitting and long-sitting (P < 0.735). Standing position led to the highest PEFR value and three quarter sitting led to the lowest PEFR value. This implies that standing is a more appropriate starting position which can be used to clear the airways by huffing post CABG