Background: Patients with stroke have core muscle weakness and limited rib cage movement, resulting in restrictive lung disease.
Objectives: To examine the comparison of effects of rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise and diaphragmatic breathing exercise on the pulmonary function and chest circumference in patients with stroke.
Design: A cluster randomized controlled trial.
Methods: Twenty-four patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise group) and control group (diaphragmatic breathing exercise group). Patients in the experimental group underwent rib cage joint mobilization for 15 min and diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 15 min. The control group underwent diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 30 min. Both groups underwent exercise thrice a week for 4 weeks. The pulmonary function and chest circumference were measured using the MicroLab spirometer and a tape measure, respectively.
Results: After the intervention, the pulmonary function and chest circumference significantly improved in both groups. These improvements were significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the control group.
Conclusion: Rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise improves pulmonary function and chest circumference in patients with stroke.

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
    Subjects
    Interventions
    Outcome Measures
    Data and Statistical Analysis
RESULTS
    General characteristics of the subjects
    Changes in the pulmonary function and chestcircumference between the two groups
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

• Ayeon Kim(Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University)
• Youngwha Song(Department of Physical Therapy, Dongnam Health University)
• Geurin Hong(Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University)
• Dajeong Kim(Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University)
• Soonhee Kim(Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University)