Evaluation of peak expiratory flow in individuals after stroke – stroke

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is a neurological disorder characterized by a deficit of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Post-stroke individuals tend to have respiratory muscle weakness, resulting in decreased lung capacities and volumes. Objective: to assess the peak expiratory flow (PEF) of these individuals. Methodology: this is a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive and quantitative study, which measured the PEF of residents of the city of Beberibe (CE) with a clinical diagnosis of stroke. The population included post-stroke individuals living in the city of Beberibe (CE). The sample consisted of ten participants. Participated in the study, people with a confirmed diagnosis of stroke, with at least six months of involvement, preserved cognitive, regardless of sex, age equal and / or above 55 years, absence of associated respiratory disorders, or neurological impairment, not active smokers. Individuals who used medication with respiratory action, restricted to the bed, and who currently participated in some physical therapy treatment were excluded. The measurement of PEF was made using Peak Flow Meters. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, “Student's t test” and linear regression and were tabulated in tables. Results: there is a predominance of Ischemic Stroke, gender homogeneity, systemic arterial hypertension as the most prevalent comorbidity; the PEF values of the female and male sample proved to be statistically significant (p <0.002) when compared to the reference values. Conclusion: in this sample of individuals with chronic stroke, there was a statistically significant reduction in PEF.