Abstract

Background: Incentive spirometry (IS) is a widely utilized respiratory therapy aimed at preventing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and improving lung function. Despite its widespread adoption, the evidence supporting its standalone efficacy across various clinical settings remains inconsistent. Objective: This narrative review evaluates the effectiveness of IS in clinical practice, focusing on its role in postoperative care, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management, and COVID-19 rehabilitation. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases identified 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2000 and 2024. Inclusion criteria were studies involving adult populations, written in English, and focused on IS as an intervention. Data on study design, patient characteristics, IS protocols, and outcomes were extracted and synthesized qualitatively. Results: The findings reveal mixed outcomes. IS as a standalone intervention showed limited efficacy in reducing PPCs in cardiac, thoracic, and upper abdominal surgeries. However, when integrated into multimodal rehabilitation protocols, IS demonstrated potential benefits, including improved pulmonary function and faster recovery in patients with COPD and post-COVID-19 conditions. Variability in protocols and adherence across studies limited generalizability. Conclusion: While IS alone may not significantly prevent PPCs, its integration into comprehensive care protocols can enhance patient outcomes. Tailored approaches that combine IS with other respiratory therapies may optimize its effectiveness. Future research should focus on standardizing protocols, long-term outcomes, and patient-centered measures.

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