OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Airofit PRO TM, a mobile respiratory trainer device, on pulmonary function, chest expansion, and functional status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to a conventional pursed-lip breathing (PLB) exercise program. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 patients with AS who were allocated into two groups: the mobile device exercise (MDE) group (n = 36), using Airofit PRO TM, and the PLB control group (n = 34). The participants underwent a 12-week exercise regimen consisting of three 6-minute daily sessions. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25 to 75% (FEF25 to 75), peak expiratory flow (PEF), chest expansion, and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) scores, were measured pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the MDE group compared to the PLB group. Male patients in the MDE group exhibited statistically significant improvements in FEV1, FVC, FEF25 to 75, and PEF (p < 0.05). Female patients in the MDE group demonstrated significant improvements in PFT parameters and chest expansion (p < 0.05). No significant improvement was observed in the PLB group. The compliance rates were similar between the groups, and no significant adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: The Airofit PRO TM respiratory trainer significantly improved pulmonary function parameters and chest expansion in AS patients, demonstrating greater effectiveness compared to conventional PLB exercises. These findings suggest that mobile respiratory trainers may provide a promising adjunctive therapeutic option for the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with AS.

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