Aim:

To analyze the effects of a pre and post-operative breathing functional reeducation program in pain, respiratory rate and O2 saturation in the health/illness transition process of the client submitted to an elective gastrectomy.

Method:

A quasi-experimental and longitudinal study, based on a quantitative paradigm, with a sample of 60 clients distributed in two groups: 30 control and 30 intervention.

Results:

Low levels of pain were present in the study, with statistically significant advantages for clients of the intervention group at discharge and postoperative consultation (p=0.016 and p=0.002, respectively). There is an immediate beneficial impact on oxygen saturation after the completion of the program, (p<0.001, at all times of assessment). The respiratory rate remained normal, with no effect of the intervention (p> 0.05).

Conclusion:

The implementation of the program revealed benefits, mainly post-operative, with decreased pain level and increased oxygen saturation. There were no program effects on respiratory rate. Its characteristic of continuity in time brings advantages to the clients.

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