Comparing Coughing Exercises and Incentive Spirometry to Improve Lung Function and Recovery in Children After Heart Surgery

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effects of coughing exercises and incentive spirometry IS on lung function and recovery in children aged 6 to 18 years undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The study investigates how these breathing exercises influence postoperative respiratory outcomes, physical comfort, oxygen levels, and prevention of lung complications during recovery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups coughing exercises, incentive spirometry, or standard postoperative care. Those in the coughing exercises group will perform supervised deep breathing and coughing techniques every 3 hours for 3 days after surgery. The incentive spirometry group will use a device to perform 15 slow, deep breaths every 3 hours for 3 days. The standard care group will receive routine medical and nursing care without additional respiratory exercises. Throughout the study, daily assessments will monitor vital signs, oxygen saturation, lung function using a respiratory function score at multiple time points, and recovery indicators such as feeding tolerance and mobility. Researchers will also track pulmonary complications, arterial blood gases, and length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit to determine which method best supports lung function and faster recovery after surgery.

Effect of Coughing Exercises Versus Incentive Spirometry on Respiratory Function and Recovery in Children After Cardiac Surgery.