Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
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In patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pursed-lips breathing (PLB) improves the pulmonary gas exchange and hyperinflation measured by electro-optic coupling. The response to PLB in inspiratory lung function tests is not known. ⋯ Improved IC after PLB indicates less hyperinflation in patients with severe COPD; there was no effect on parameters of flow.