A Comparative Study of Effectiveness between Diaphragmatic Breathing and Resistive Inspiratory Muscle Training on Fatigue during Pregnancy

Wafa Theyab A Alokayli, Sara Marzouk Alkhaldi, Sara Fahad Bin Shehan

Background: Physical inactivity, increased weight and alterations in the pulmonary functions cause feeling of low energy and fatigue amongst pregnant women, which hampers their quality of life. Objective: This study was done to compare the effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on fatigue during pregnancy. Design: Experimental Study Design Method: This was a pre post parallel study group design done on a sample size of 32 pregnant women, who were randomly divided between two groups. One group received Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) and another received Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise (DBE). The outcome measure was fatigue, which was analysed at baseline and after the intervention of 4 weeks. Result: Inspiratory muscle training was found to be beneficial to reduce fatigue during pregnancy. Conclusion: The present study suggested that the performance of IMT in pregnancy during third trimester helps to reduce fatigue.