Clinical Response of Asthma Patients to Blowing Balloon Technique and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises: A Case Study in Primary Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

Background: Asthma remains a prevalent respiratory disorder affecting quality of life globally. In primary care, non-pharmacological therapies such as respiratory exercises are gaining recognition for their clinical benefits. This topic is interesting because it explores simple, low-cost interventions that can improve patient outcomes in community settings. Objective: This study aims to compare the clinical responses of asthma patients to two breathing techniques: blowing balloon and diaphragmatic breathing. Methods: A descriptive case study was conducted at Puskesmas Lingsar, Lombok Barat, NTB, involving 20 asthma patients equally assigned to two intervention groups. Clinical indicators—respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, sputum presence, dyspnea level, and posture—were observed pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: Both groups demonstrated clinical improvement, but the blowing balloon group showed superior outcomes across most indicators. Notably, they had a lower mean respiratory rate (22 vs. 24 breaths/min), higher oxygen saturation (97.6% vs. 96.4%), and more patients reported reduced dyspnea and improved posture. These results align with existing literature on the effectiveness of expiratory control techniques. Conclusion: The blowing balloon technique was more effective than diaphragmatic breathing in improving short-term clinical responses among asthma patients in a primary care setting. This finding supports integrating low-cost, evidence-based respiratory exercises into community asthma management