Background: Chest tube drainage is a common procedure following cardiac or thoracic surgery,
which can lead to respiratory disorders. Incentive spirometry (IS) is used to enhance respiratory
outcomes by promoting deep breathing and lung expansion. Aim: evaluate the effect of incentive
spirometry on respiratory parameters among critically ill patients with chest tube drainage.
Research Design: A quasi-experimental design was used in this study. Setting: Cardiothoracic
intensive care unit at the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Center of Mansoura University.
Subjects: A convenience sample of 120 patients who underwent chest tube drainage was randomly
assigned to either the IS group (n = 60) or the control group (n = 60). Tool: Data were collected
using The Respiratory Distress Observation Scale. Results: Patients in the IS group had a
significantly lower heart rate (mean ± SD: 87.85 ± 10.97 beats per minute) compared to those in the
control group (mean ± SD: 107.08 ± 18.06 beats per minute, p < 0.001). Additionally, Patients in
the IS group had a significantly lower respiratory rate (mean ± SD: 14.93 ± 2.6 breaths per minute)
compared to those in the control group (mean ± SD: 23.38 ± 6.52 breaths per minute, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Patients in the IS group showed improvements in respiratory parameters compared to
control group. The findings support using IS as a safe, non-invasive device to prevent respiratory
complications. Recommendations: The IS technique should be used as an adjunct to the routine
care for patients with chest tube drainage