Objective
The primary aim of this work was to study the relationships between cardiac patients’ spirometric values after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and each of the following three variables: patients’ perceived benefits from and perceived self-efficacy and performance accuracy in the use of an incentive spirometer. The secondary aim was to study the relationships between the three variables.
Method
Incentive spirometers were introduced to patients who had undergone elective CABG. The patients were advised to use the incentive spirometers for breathing exercises 10 times per hour during waking hours after the surgery, according to the American Association for Respiratory Care clinical practice guidelines. The spirometric values were measured preoperatively and on the first postoperative day. Two numeric scales were used to record the patients’ perceived benefits from the incentive spirometer in enhancing the recovery of spirometric values following CABG and the patients’ perceived self-efficacy in using the incentive spirometer accurately. The researcher observed the patients while they exercised with the incentive spirometer and used 10 items on a 3-point scale to rate their incentive spirometer performance accuracy. Two-tailed Pearson's correlation tests were used to study the predetermined relationships.
Results
There were significant positive relationships between most spirometric values on the first day postoperatively and each of the following: patients’ perceived benefits from the incentive spirometer, patients’ perceived self-efficacy, and patients’ accuracy of performance. Results also showed significant positive relationships between the patients’ perceived benefits from the incentive spirometer, patients’ perceived self-efficacy in using the spirometer, and their accuracy of performance.
Conclusion
Cardiac patients’ spirometric values after CABG surgery were significantly positively related to each of the following: patients’ perceived benefits from the incentive spirometer, patients’ perceived self-efficacy, and their performance accuracy in the use of the incentive spirometer.