[Long-term evaluation of effectiveness for selected chest physiotherapy methods used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis]

Med Wieku Rozwoj. 2001 Jul-Sep;5(3):245-57.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The aim of this study was a long-term analysis of efficiency of selected chest physiotherapy methods used in the treatment of children with CF. We studied 80 CF children (39 male, 41 female), mean age ll.44yrs (range 6-18 yrs), with varying degree of severity. The study was carried out during 7 months. The subjects were assigned into four groups. Group had conventional postural drainage with clapping (33 patients, age x-11.12), group II- conventional postural drainage with clapping and vibration (16 patients, age x-11.25), group III - active cycle of breathing technique (18 patients, age x-10.5), group IV Flutter (13 patients, age x- 13.77). All patients had three physiotherapy sessions a day. We measured: FEV1 FVC, FEV1/FVC, MEF 25-7 %, PEF, before and after the study. In the group with postural drainage with clapping we observed statistically significant decrease of all studied parameters. The use of additional vibration improved FVC and FEV1/FVC values but the improvement was not statistically significant. FEV1, PEF and MEF 25 %, were significantly lower. Statistically significant increase of all studied parameters was observed in patients using ACBT. In the Flutter group we observed increase of FEV1 and FVC values. The other parameters were decreased without statistical significance. Analysis of variance of pulmonary function parameters between groups demonstrated significant differences in FEV1, PEF and MEF 50% between postural drainage with vibration and active cycle of breathing technique. Significant differences have also been shown in PEF between postural drainage with clapping and active cycle of breathing technique. We conclude that: 1) postural drainage with clapping is less effective compared with the other studied techniques.2) The use of additional vibration did not bring about improvement of drainage efficiency. Vibration increased airways resistance. 3) Flatter device may be less effective in peripheral airways clearance.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Breathing Exercises
  • Child
  • Cystic Fibrosis / physiopathology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / rehabilitation*
  • Drainage, Postural / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Physical Therapy Specialty / methods*
  • Physical Therapy Specialty / standards
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vibration / therapeutic use