Pneumonia is a major cause of illness and death in children, leading to breathing difficulties and reduced oxygen levels due to impaired gas exchange. Non-pharmacological techniques like balloon blowing and Bubble PEP are simple, engaging methods used to improve respiratory function.
This randomized clinical trial will compare the effects of Balloon Blowing Therapy and Bubble PEP on oxygen saturation, dyspnea, and enjoyment in 40 children with pediatric pneumonia over one week.
Children aged 6 to 12 years
Medically stable and cleared to perform breathing exercises
Both genders will be included
Presence of dyspnea according to the patient's statement
Children who are critically ill patients on bi-pep or a ventilator, as well as patients who were intubated and uncooperative
Children with any oral surgery
Participants were excluded from the study, if they had any contraindication to the use PEP therapy (severe haemoptysis)
Refusal to participate or inability to complete full sessions
Parallel
Balloon Blowing Therapy
DeviceBalloon Blowing Therapy involves deep breathing followed by exhaling into a balloon to create positive pressure, improving lung expansion and airway clearance. It is combined with diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, performed twice daily in 5 days for 1 week
Bubble PEP
DeviceBubble PEP involves deep inhalation followed by exhalation through water to create resistance and positive pressure, improving lung expansion and airway clearance. It is combined with diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, performed twice in 5 days for 1 week
Pulse oximeter
Oxygen saturation measured using a pulse oximeter to assess oxygen saturation in children with pneumonia.In healthy children, normal oxygen saturation (SpO₂) typically ranges from 95% to 100%, while values ≤92% indicate significant hypoxemia requiring medical attention.
Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale
It is a patient-reported numerical scale assessing breathlessness during activity, ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no breathlessness and 10 indicates maximal breathlessness. Higher scores represent greater dyspnea.
5-point Likert Scale with Faces
This 5-point Likert scale with faces measures children's enjoyment and engagement during therapy. Scores range from 1 (not enjoyable) to 5 (highly enjoyable), with higher scores indicating greater enjoyment.
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