Abstract
Background: Pulmonary function parameters can be altered with the change in body position. Therefore, physiological basis behind such consequent influence is essential to be understood. Pulmonary function tests are generally conducted in the erect sitting posture as it is more feasible and comfortable. However, bedridden patients are unable to do so and only few studies are found on recumbent postures. Thus, to comfort such patients in breathing, need arises to meet this requisite investigation to conclude the best recumbent body posture.

Aim and Objectives: To compare and assess forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, forced expiratory flow of during 25–75% expiration (FEF25–75%, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) in the Supine, Crook-lying and Fowler’s position.

Materials and Methods: The present research was carried out on 128 healthy adults to measure FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF25–75% and PEF using a computer-based spirometer in the Supine, Crook-lying and Fowler’s position. One-way Analysis of Variance with Tukey HSD post-hoc test was utilized between each body postures by evaluation of their mean values.

Results: This study consisted of 128 subjects (males 57, females 71) with mean age of 21.62 ± 1.75 years, mean weight 59.71 ± 9.97 kg, mean height 164.68 ± 9.30 cm and Body mass index 21.91 ± 2.38 kg/m2. Fowler’s posture showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher value in all spirometric parameters as compared to other two postures. Outcome of the study showed all spirometric parameters value- greater in the Fowler’s posture than that of Supine or Crook-lying posture.

Conclusion: The implication of this research is that it will meet the need of selection of the most suitable substitute posture for better pulmonary functioning in bedridden people.

Key words: Forced Vital Capacity; Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second; FEV1/FVC Ratio, Forced Expiratory Flow25–75%; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate