Air Stacking-Assisted Diaphragmatic Breathing in Stroke

Inclusion Criteria: * Inpatients diagnosed with stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction) at a general hospital in Daegu, currently receiving physical therapy * Onset of stroke at least 3 months prior to enrollment * Spasticity grade of 2 or less on the Modified Ashworth Scale * No congenital deformity or fracture of the thorax or other orthopedic conditions affecting the chest wall * No history of pulmonary disease before or after the stroke * Able to perform respiratory exercises as instructed * Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean version (MMSE-K) score of 24 or higher, indicating sufficient cognitive ability to understand the study procedures * Presence of decreased pulmonary function (reduced pulmonary function test parameters) at baseline Exclusion Criteria: * Acute stroke status or onset of stroke less than 3 months prior to enrollment * Severe cardiovascular or respiratory disease that makes participation in respiratory exercise unsafe or impossible * Cognitive impairment or communication disorder that prevents understanding or performing the study procedures * Any other medical or safety condition judged by the investigator to make participation in the study inappropriate