Ventilation and gas exchange changes induced by pursed lips breathing (PLB) were determined during rest and exercise in 12 subjects with chronic airway obstruction. Seven claimed symptom relief from PLB; 5 denied relief. A special face mask permitted natural PLB and had no influence on PaCO2, PaO2 and respiratory rate. During both rest and exercise PLB consistently and significantly decreased respiratory rate, VE and O2V, and increasaed VT. Symptom-benefit subjects had a more marked decrease in respiratory rate and increase in VT than those getting no relief. In both groups PLB imprved PACO2, PaO2, and SaO2 at rest, but not during exercise. PLB had no effect on O2 uptake and CO2 production rates, physiologic dead space, VA, A-aPO2 gradient, and DLCO2. It is concluded that PLB is a more effective pattern of respiration, but that it probably does not decrease the work of breathing. The source of symptom benefit from PLB may relate to decreased airway collapse with resultant enlarged VT and slowed respiration rate.

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