Instantaneous changes in respiratory function induced by passive pelvic suspension in the supine position in relation to increased diaphragm excursion.
Tatsuya Ishizuka, Naoya Nishida, Yuuki Homma and 4 others
PMID 28356625WHAT IT FOUND
Passive pelvic suspension in 25 healthy men instantly increased diaphragm movement and volume of air per breath, slowed breathing, and all rated breathing easier.
This was a short-term physiological effect in healthy people, not evidence it helps patients with breathing problems.
Key findings
01Passive pelvic suspension increased right diaphragm movement from 16.1 mm to 23.4 mm.
02The amount of air per breath increased from 569.7 ml to 838.8 ml, while breathing rate decreased from 13.9 to 9.5 breaths/min.
03On a 0-to-10 breathing-ease scale, the average rating rose from 5.0 to 7.9, and every participant reported easier breathing.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included 25 healthy men, age 24.9 ± 2.3 years, so it does not show what happens in women, older adults, or people with respiratory disease. Effects were measured only while the suspension was in place. The paper did not test how long any change lasted after the sling was removed. The suspension needed careful adjustment. Higher suspension made subjects complain of difficulty breathing and made the position unstable. The paper also warns that lifting the sacral bone more than 5 cm can limit diaphragm movement. The paper does not report whether the two postures were assigned in random order or whether the people taking the measurements were blinded. The sample included 3 smokers, but the paper does not report whether smoking affected the results.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The paper does not state who funded the work.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the higher breathing-ease ratings as proof that suspension improves respiratory health. All participants were healthy men, the effect was measured only during suspension, and the ease score did not relate to the other breathing measurements.