Evaluating the Role of Incentive Spirometry in Asthma Management: A Prospective Controlled Study on Spirometry and Asthma Control Test Improvements

Damla Serce Unat,1 Ömer Selim Unat,2 Sami Deniz3 1Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Bakırçay University, İzmir, Turkey; 2Department of Pulmonology, Health Sciences University, Izmir Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey; 3Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences University, İzmir, TurkeyCorrespondence: Damla Serce Unat, Email sercedamla@gmail.com; damla.serceunat@bakircay.edu.trPurpose: Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by variable airway obstruction. Despite advancements in pharmacological treatments, interest in non-pharmacological approaches is growing, particularly for variable airway diseases like asthma. Incentive spirometry (IS) is non-pharmacological, inexpensive, safe, and accessible. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of IS on spirometry and asthma control test (ACT) parameters in asthma patients.Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, controlled, single-center study evaluating the effects of incentive spirometry in stable asthma. A total of 153 patients were included in the study. After applying the exclusion criteria (n=28) and withdrawal criteria (n=45), 80 patients completed the study. All patients who attended IS breathing exercises received training from the relevant physician. Patients who practiced the exercises daily for at least 6 weeks were included in the study.Results: Of the 80 patients, 57 (71.25%) were female, with a mean age of 54.4 ± 15.8 years. The IS group (n=41) significantly improved FEF 25– 75 values and ACT scores. FEF 25– 75 increased by 225.3 ± 66.41 mL (10.34 ± 3.07%, p=0.02), and ACT scores improved by 2.1 ± 0.4 points (p≤ 0.001). The control group showed no spirometry changes but had a significant ACT score increase of 4.17 ± 0.7 points (p< 0.001).Conclusion: IS improved FEF25– 75 values and ACT scores, suggesting benefits for small airway function and asthma control. ACT improvements in both groups may be linked to better education and adherence.Keywords: asthma, breathing exercises, incentive spirometry, asthma control test, spirometry