Diaphragmatic Breathing and Ventilator-Induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction

Original Editor - Carin Hunter based on the course by Rina Pandya
Top Contributors - Ewa Jaraczewska, Carin Hunter, Jess Bell, Kim Jackson and Wanda van Niekerk

Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing[edit | edit source]

  1. Detoxifies and releases toxins:[1]
    • The human body is able to release 70% of its toxins through breathing. It is recommended that diaphragmatic breathing at least 3 times per day for 39 seconds can be beneficial.
  2. Anti-stress:[1][2]
    • When someone experiences stress, their adrenal gland releases cortisol (i.e. the "stress hormone") - the adrenal glands act in response to signals from the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland responds to signals from the hypothalamus.[3] Cortisol causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
    • Taking a few diaphragmatic breaths can lead to a reduction in heart rate. This allows more oxygen to enter the bloodstream, which calms the brain down (i.e. reduces anxiety, improves circulation, enhances muscular relaxation etc).
    • Deep breathing can also lead to the release of endorphins, which elevates mood.
  3. Relaxation and mood elevation:[1][4]
    • Diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which induces relaxation (i.e. the parasympathetic nervous system is activated). NB 75% of vagal nerve fibres are parasympathetic.[1]
  4. Pain relief:[1][5]
    • Breathing into pain can improve circulation to that area, relieve tension and enhance oxygenation levels. This triggers the release of endorphins, which positively impacts pain levels.[5]
  5. Enhances the immune system:[1]
    • Deep breathing improves an individual's ability to metabolise nutrients and vitamins. It is also beneficial for digestion, which ultimately strengthens immunity.
  6. Reduces blood pressure:[5]
    • Relaxation leads to the dilation of the blood vessels, which improves circulation and decreases blood pressure. Deep breathing also helps reduce/regulate heart rate, which positively impacts blood pressure.
  7. Improves cellular regeneration:[1]
    • Deep breathing helps our bodies to be better oxygenated and improves circulation, which enhances cellular regeneration.
  8. Enhances posture:[1][5]
    • Inspiration lengthens the spine, facilitates lumbopelvic movements, and activates core muscles. It has also been shown that it may be associated with improvements in balance.[6]
    • The diaphragm and abdominals improve trunk stability due to the hydraulic effect in the abdominal cavity. The lumbar spine stiffens through increased intra-abdominal pressure. [7]
[8]
[9]
[10]

Evidence-Based Practice[edit | edit source]

  • Allison et al.[11] reported that diaphragmatic activity increases in healthy subjects during lumbopelvic motion control tests.
  • O’Sullivan and Beales[12] concluded in their case studies that lumbopelvic movements decrease in patients with diaphragmatic injuries.
  • Moreover, patients with chronic low back pain have often been reported to have posture and motor control defects.[13][14]

Effect of Mechanical Ventilation on the Diaphragm[edit | edit source]

  • Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD):
    • VIDD is the loss of diaphragmatic force-generating capacity. It occurs due to the use of mechanical ventilation due to the suppressed inspiratory effort.[15][16]
  • Mechanical ventilatory assistance contributes to diaphragm muscle inactivity and unloading, thus leading to diaphragmatic atrophy and fatigue.[17]
  • Diaphragm weakness is a leading cause of difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation[18] and loss of thickness of diaphragm muscle. However, if there is insufficient ventilatory support and the diaphragm is not unloaded adequately, this can lead to load-induced inflammation and injury.[19][20]
  • Diaphragm atrophy developed during mechanical ventilation strongly impacts clinical outcomes. Targeting an inspiratory effort level similar to that of healthy subjects at rest might accelerate liberation from ventilation.[21]
    Ventilator-Induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction Flow chart [22]
Peñuelas O, Keough E, López-Rodríguez L, Carriedo D, Gonçalves G, Barreiro E, Lorente JÁ. Ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction: translational mechanisms lead to therapeutical alternatives in the critically ill. Intensive care medicine experimental. 2019 Jul;7(1):1-25. Please note, under the "clinical approach" section, volatile and non-volatile should be volitional and non-volitional as per Peñuelas et al.[16]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Pandya R. Diaphragmatic Breathing and Ventilator-Induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction Course. Plus. 2022.
  2. ↑ Hunt MG, Rushton J, Shenberger E, Murayama S. Positive effects of diaphragmatic breathing on physiological stress reactivity in varsity athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. 2018 Mar 1;12(1):27-38.
  3. ↑ Johns Hopkins Medicine. Adrenal Glands. Available from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adrenal-glands (last accessed 12 February 2023).
  4. ↑ Hamasaki H. Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Health: A Narrative Review. Medicines. 2020 Oct;7(10):65.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Watkins A. Benefits of deep breathing [Internet]. Urban Balance. 2014 [cited 2 December 2021]. Available from: https://www.urbanbalance.com/benefits-deep-breathing/
  6. ↑ Stephens RJ, Haas M, Moore III WL, Emmil JR, Sipress JA, Williams A. Effects of diaphragmatic breathing patterns on balance: a preliminary clinical trial. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2017 Mar 1;40(3):169-75.
  7. ↑ Foskolou A, Emmanouil A, Boudolos K, Rousanoglou E. Abdominal Breathing Effect on Postural Stability and the Respiratory Muscles’ Activation during Body Stances Used in Fitness Modalities. Biomechanics 2022; 2: 478–493.
  8. ↑ Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. Diaphragmatic Breathing Part 1 of 3 - Intro to Diaphragmatic Breathing Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAkjx25o4eI&t=3s [last accessed 10 November 2021]
  9. ↑ Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. Diaphragmatic Breathing Part 2 of 3 - Breathing While Lying Down. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BckGYBfN5e0&t=64s [last accessed 10 November 2021]
  10. ↑ Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. Diaphragmatic Breathing Part 3 of 3 - Seated or Upright Position. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vXlTkrNxyw&t=18s [last accessed 10 November 2021]
  11. ↑ Allison G, Kendle K, Roll S, Schupelius J, Scott Q, Panizza J. The role of the diaphragm during abdominal hollowing exercises. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 1998 Jan 1;44(2):95-102.
  12. ↑ O'Sullivan PB, Beales DJ. Changes in pelvic floor and diaphragm kinematics and respiratory patterns in subjects with sacroiliac joint pain following a motor learning intervention: a case series. Man Ther. 2007;12(3):209-18.
  13. ↑ O’Sullivan P. Diagnosis and classification of chronic low back pain disorders: maladaptive movement and motor control impairments as underlying mechanism. Manual therapy. 2005 Nov 1;10(4):242-55.
  14. ↑ Hodges PW, Moseley GL. Pain and motor control of the lumbopelvic region: effect and possible mechanisms. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology. 2003 Aug 1;13(4):361-70.
  15. ↑ Kim WY, Lim CM. Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction: diagnosis and role of pharmacological agents. Respiratory care. 2017 Nov 1;62(11):1485-91.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Peñuelas O, Keough E, López-Rodríguez L, Carriedo D, Gonçalves G, Barreiro E, Lorente JÁ. Ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction: translational mechanisms lead to therapeutical alternatives in the critically ill. Intensive care medicine experimental. 2019 Jul;7(1):1-25.
  17. ↑ Vassilakopoulos T, Petrof BJ. Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. 2004 Feb 1;169(3):336-41.
  18. ↑ Dres M, Dubé BP, Mayaux J, Delemazure J, Reuter D, Brochard L, Similowski T, Demoule A. Coexistence and impact of limb muscle and diaphragm weakness at the time of liberation from mechanical ventilation in medical intensive care unit patients. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. 2017 Jan 1;195(1):57-66.
  19. ↑ Orozco-Levi M, Lloreta J, Minguella J, Serrano S, Broquetas JM, Gea J. Injury of the human diaphragm associated with exertion and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. 2001 Nov 1;164(9):1734-9.
  20. ↑ Goligher EC, Dres M, Patel BK, Sahetya SK, Beitler JR, Telias I et al. Lung- and diaphragm-protective ventilation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Oct 1;202(7):950-61.
  21. ↑ Lipson DA, Barnacle H, Birk R, Brealey N, Locantore N, Lomas DA, Ludwig-Sengpiel A, Mohindra R, Tabberer M, Zhu CQ, Pascoe SJ. FULFIL trial: once-daily triple therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. 2017 Aug 15;196(4):438-46.
  22. ↑ Schepens T, Dres M, Heunks L, Goligher EC. Diaphragm-protective mechanical ventilation. Current opinion in critical care. 2019 Feb 1;25(1):77-85.
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