Application of the ping-pong ball blowing exercise in elderly patients with COPD

ZHANG Lingyun; XU Yihao; QUAN Yuehua; CHEN Li; HUO Shoulong; HUANG Wei; LIU Qinqin; LUO Zhendong

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1009-6493.2025.10.020

Abstract：Objective:To explore the application effect of the ping-pong ball blowing exercise in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:A total of 70 hospitalized patients in the respiratory department of our hospital were selected as the study subjects from January 2021 to March 2023.Patients were divided into control group and intervention group based on their admission numbers(35 patients each).The control group cases underwent pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing training,while the intervention group cases performed the ping-pong ball blowing exercise.Lung function parameters,arterial blood gas analysis indices,dyspnea severity,and pulmonary rehabilitation compliance were compared between the two groups.Results:In terms of forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of the predicted value,the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity,partial pressure of carbon dioxide,partial pressure of oxygen,the scores of modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale,and the scores of pulmonary rehabilitation compliance,there were significant interclass effects,time effects and interaction effects(all P<0.05).Meanwhile,in terms of maximum mid-expiratory flow and peak expiratory flow,there were significant interdass effects and time effects(all P<0.05)of elderly patients with COPD.Conclusions:The ping-pong ball blowing exercise was beneficial for improving lung function and arterial blood gas analysis results in elderly patients with COPD.it could alleviate dyspnea,and enhance patients'compliance with pulmonary rehabilitation.