2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (32): 5196-5202

Trunk pressure biofeedback and its correlation with diaphragmatic functional parameters in young adults

Kong Junfeng1, Xiao Haibin1, Ma Tian2, Luo Yu3   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Trunk pressure biofeedback is considered a reliable indicator for assessing core muscle strength. It not only reflects the status of an individual’s trunk strength but also has a close relationship with the function of respiratory muscles.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between trunk pressure biofeedback and diaphragmatic function in young adults.
METHODS: A total of 80 young adults from Shangrao Normal University, China were enrolled, including 34 males and 46 females, with an average age of (19.83±1.45) years. Diaphragmatic thickness and mobility were measured using a bedside musculoskeletal ultrasound system. Maximum inspiratory pressure was determined using a portable pulmonary function tester. Lumbar and abdominal pressures in prone and supine positions were assessed using a pressure biofeedback device. The degree of correlation between trunk pressure biofeedback and diaphragmatic function was determined using Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients. A multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine predictive models for diaphragmatic function.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Grouped by sex, age, height, body mass, trunk pressure biofeedback values, diaphragm thickness during quiet inspiration and expiration, diaphragmatic thickening ratio during quiet breathing, diaphragmatic thickness during deep inspiration and expiration, diaphragmatic thickening ratio during deep breathing, diaphragmatic mobility during deep inspiration, and maximum inspiratory pressure were higher in the male group than the female group (all P < 0.05). Grouped by physical activity level, trunk pressure biofeedback values and maximum inspiratory pressure were lower in the sedentary group than in the exercise group (both P < 0.05). Both anterior and posterior trunk pressure biofeedback were significantly correlated with diaphragmatic thickness during quiet inspiration and expiration, diaphragmatic thickening ratio during quiet breathing, diaphragmatic thickness during deep inspiration and expiration, diaphragmatic thickening ratio during deep breathing, diaphragmatic mobility during deep inspiration, and maximum inspiratory pressure (all P < 0.01). Anterior trunk pressure biofeedback entered the predictive model for diaphragmatic thickness during quiet inspiration (F=27.228, P < 0.001), during deep inspiration (F=38.615, P < 0.001), and along with age for diaphragmatic mobility during deep inspiration (F=15.408, P < 0.001). Anterior trunk pressure biofeedback, body mass, and age entered the predictive model for maximum inspiratory pressure (F=22.314, P < 0.001). To conclude, there is a strong correlation between trunk pressure biofeedback and diaphragmatic thickness, diaphragmatic mobility, and maximum inspiratory pressure. The rapid and simple measurement of trunk pressure biofeedback can serve as a method for screening the diaphragmatic function in healthy young adults.

Key words: young adults, abdominal pressure, diaphragmatic function, pressure biofeedback, maximum inspiratory pressure