Effectiveness of Structured Breathing Exercises on Respiratory Functional Status Among Vehicle Spray Painters in Selected Workshops

Abstract

Vehicle spray painters are occupationally exposed to paint components and organic solvents that may adversely affect respiratory health. In unorganized automobile workshops, inadequate ventilation and inconsistent use of personal protective equipment may further increase occupational exposure. Breathing exercises are inexpensive and potentially useful as a supportive non-pharmacological strategy for improving respiratory function. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of structured breathing exercises on respiratory functional status among vehicle spray painters working in selected workshops. Methods: A quantitative quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test control-group design was adopted. Eighty vehicle spray painters were selected by non-probability purposive sampling and allocated into an experimental group (n=40) and control group (n=40). Baseline and post-intervention respiratory parameters were assessed using respiratory function measurements including respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂). Participants in the experimental group received structured diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing exercises for 20 minutes twice daily for one week, whereas the control group received no structured breathing intervention. Within- and between-group comparisons were performed using t-tests. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant pre-test to post-test changes in respiratory rate (25.2 ± 2.14 vs. 18.4 ± 1.57; p<0.00001), FVC (2.161 ± 0.81 vs. 2.826 ± 1.11; p=0.0026), and SpO₂ (91.1 ± 2.55 vs. 96.4 ± 0.84; p=0.0001). The reported FEV1 values changed from 74.9 ± 4.95 to 78.2 ± 12.31, although this within-group change was not statistically significant (p=0.1412). Tidal volume increased from 377 ± 18.28 to 445 ± 32.40, with the reported p-value of 0.0002. At post-test, significant differences between groups were reported for respiratory rate, tidal volume and SpO₂, whereas differences in FVC and FEV1 were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a structured breathing exercise programme may improve selected respiratory parameters among vehicle spray painters. The intervention was particularly associated with improvements in respiratory rate, tidal volume and oxygen saturation when post-test values were compared between the experimental and control groups. Larger randomized controlled studies with longer follow-up are recommended to establish the sustained effectiveness of breathing exercises in occupationally exposed workers.