Train Your Breathing: New Research Explores AiroFit PRO™ in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Breathing depends on muscles—and, like other muscles in the body, the respiratory muscles can be trained.

Diagno Health is excited to introduce AiroFit PRO™, a mobile respiratory training device designed to provide personalised inspiratory and expiratory muscle training. Through adjustable resistance and a connected mobile application, the device enables users to complete structured breathing exercises and monitor their progress.

A recently published randomised controlled trial investigated the use of AiroFit PRO™ in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. This blog refers specifically to the findings reported by Baytaroğlu and Karahan (2025). Diagno Health was not involved in conducting the study.

Why breathing can be affected by ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the spine. As the condition progresses, reduced movement of the thoracic spine and chest wall can restrict chest expansion and influence respiratory function.

Patients may consequently experience shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance or difficulty taking a full breath. Respiratory rehabilitation may therefore form an important part of a broader, clinically guided management plan.

What did the researchers investigate?

The study included 70 adults with ankylosing spondylitis. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups:

· A mobile device exercise group that trained using AiroFit PRO™

· A control group that performed conventional pursed-lip breathing exercises

The researchers assessed several measures before and after the intervention, including:

· Forced vital capacity (FVC)

· Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁)

· Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF₂₅–₇₅)

· Peak expiratory flow (PEF)

· Chest expansion

· Functional ability

The participants using AiroFit PRO™ completed a structured programme with individually adjustable inspiratory and expiratory resistance. The connected application provided guidance, recorded completed sessions and enabled progress monitoring.

What did the study find?

Participants using AiroFit PRO™ demonstrated statistically significant improvements in several pulmonary function measurements compared with those performing conventional pursed-lip breathing exercises.

Improvements were observed in FEV₁, FVC, FEF₂₅–₇₅ and PEF. Female participants in the mobile device group also demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in chest expansion. These findings remained significant after the researchers adjusted for height, body mass index and smoking status (Baytaroğlu & Karahan, 2025).

The study reported similar compliance between the two groups and no significant adverse effects. However, improvements in pulmonary measurements did not translate into a statistically significant improvement in the study’s broader functional index.

Personalised respiratory muscle training

A key feature of AiroFit PRO™ is its ability to offer more structured and personalised breathing training than a standard exercise performed without feedback.

The system combines:

· Adjustable inspiratory and expiratory resistance

· Personalised training based on initial breathing assessments

· Guided exercises through a mobile application

· Progress monitoring and training feedback

· The ability to share results with a healthcare professional

These features may help users understand their training progress and remain engaged with a prescribed respiratory exercise programme.

Interpreting the findings responsibly

The results are encouraging, but they should be considered within the context of the study.

This was a single-centre study involving a relatively small group of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Approximately 75% of participants were male, and patients with certain pulmonary conditions, significant physical impairment or established regular exercise habits were excluded. The researchers also noted that longer-term studies are needed to determine whether the observed improvements can be sustained.

The findings therefore relate specifically to the population and training programme investigated. They should not be interpreted as evidence that AiroFit PRO™ treats ankylosing spondylitis or replaces medication, physiotherapy, pulmonary rehabilitation or other prescribed care.

A new addition to the Diagno Health respiratory portfolio

AiroFit PRO™ represents an innovative approach to respiratory muscle training by bringing adjustable resistance, guided exercises and progress tracking together in one connected system.

The study by Baytaroğlu and Karahan (2025) contributes emerging clinical evidence on how mobile respiratory training devices may complement pulmonary rehabilitation in selected patient groups.

AiroFit PRO™ is now available through Diagno Health. Healthcare professionals interested in incorporating respiratory muscle training into an appropriate rehabilitation or performance programme can contact the Diagno team for further product information.

This blog refers specifically to the research article by Baytaroğlu and Karahan (2025). Diagno Health was not involved in conducting the study. The information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. AiroFit PRO™ should be used in accordance with its instructions and, where relevant, under the guidance of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Reference

Baytaroğlu, İ. M. U., & Karahan, A. Y. (2025). Effectiveness of a mobile respiratory trainer (AiroFit PRO™) in ankylosing spondylitis: A randomized controlled trial. Annals of Medicine, 57(1), Article 2582913. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2025.2582913