What expiratory maneuver is used to decrease air trapping in obstructive pulmonary disease?

Pursed lip breathing is a technique particularly beneficial for individuals with obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). This maneuver helps reduce air trapping by creating positive pressure in the airways during exhalation. When patients exhale through pursed lips, the airflow is slowed down, which allows for better emptying of the lungs and prevents premature airway closure.

As the individual inhales through the nose and exhales slowly through pursed lips, this technique can help prolong exhalation, decrease the work of breathing, improve gas exchange, and provide a sense of control over breathing. The slowed exhalation not only helps in reducing air trapping but also allows time for the trapped air to be expelled from the lungs.

Other techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing and abdominal breathing, mainly focus on deepening inhalation and may not address air trapping as effectively as pursed lip breathing. Fast expiration, while it may seem like a possible solution, tends to increase the likelihood of air trapping rather than decrease it, as it can cause the airway to collapse prematurely.