Clinical Effects of Active Cycle of Breathing Technique in COPD: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disorder characterized by persistent airflow limitation, dyspnea, and reduced physical capacity. The Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) is a physiotherapy intervention aimed at improving ventilation, airway clearance, and functional capacity.
Objective: To describe the clinical effects of ACBT on cardiorespiratory fitness and dyspnea severity in patients with COPD.
Methods: This case report followed the CARE Guidelines and involved two patients with COPD treated at a primary healthcare center in Surakarta, Indonesia. ACBT, consisting of breathing control, thoracic expansion, and huffing, was administered twice daily for two weeks. Outcomes assessed before and after the intervention included blood pressure, oxygen saturation, the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and dyspnea severity using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale.
Results: Both patients demonstrated improvements in walking distance on the 6MWT, exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (25–33 m). Oxygen saturation remained stable in both patients. Patient 1 achieved a 6MWT distance of 300 m, while Patient 2 achieved 210 m. Changes in blood pressure reflected individual physiological responses.
Conclusion: ACBT was associated with improved functional exercise capacity and stable oxygen saturation in two patients with COPD. Further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.