Effects of Breathing Exercise in the Water on Pulmonary Function and Maximum Phonation Time of Children with Cerebral Palsy

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of breathing exercise in the water on the pulmonary function and maximum phonation time in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: The subjects were 24 children with cerebral palsy at GMFCS levels I-III, who were allocated randomly to either the aquatic breathing exercise group or general breathing exercise group 12 subjects per group. Each subject was required to complete 40 minutes of exercise twice a week for eight weeks. Those in the aquatic breathing exercise group performed aquatic breathing exercise, whereas those in the general breathing exercise group performed general aquatic exercise.