Breathing trick eases pain and fear after heart surgery

This study tested a breathing exercise called the active cycle breathing technique in 120 adults who had just had heart surgery. The exercise combines controlled breathing, deep breaths, and huffing or coughing to help clear the lungs and improve breathing. Researchers measured whether it reduced pain, fear of shortness of breath, and improved breathing rates. The goal was to see if this simple technique could help patients recover more comfortably after surgery.