Short-term effects of chest physiotherapy on pulmonary function in children with cystic fibrosis.
In a short-term controlled study of 20 patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic sputum production, chest physiotherapy resulted in a significantly improved peak flow over a whole day, with no significant difference in other forced expiratory flows, when compared to a control day. This suggests that physiotherapy may be effective in enhancing clearance of sputum from central large airways, but it has little obvious effect on more peripheral airways. A bronchodilator given before physiotherapy had no added effects. It is important that we examine ways of improving physiotherapy to aid clearance of secretions from the more peripheral airways.
D000293:Adolescent; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents