Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
2 randomized srudies
Participants
Over two separate studies, 10 and 11 mild to moderate CF patients were recruited for study I and II, respectively.
Interventions
Study I: Vibralung was used for 20 min with either no sound (NS: PEP only) or sound (S: PEP and sound) on randomized visits. Study II: over 5 days of in-hospital therapy, the Vibralung or vibratory vest therapy (Vest) were used for two therapy sessions per day, with sputum collected for 20 min following each therapy and pulmonary function accessed pre and post each 5-day period (days 1-5 or 7-11) in a randomized crossover design.
Outcome measures
Study I: Pulmonary function, diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide and nitric oxide (DLCO/DLNO), symptoms, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured at baseline and at 1 and 4 h post treatment. Expectorated sputum was collected over 4 h post treatment. Study II: sputum collected for 20 min following each therapy and pulmonary function accessed pre and post each 5-day period (days 1-5 or 7-11) in a randomized crossover design.
Main results
Vibralung usage resulted in no change from baseline to 4 h post in pulmonary function, SpO2 or symptoms ( p > 0.05). At 4 h post therapy, the DLCO- and DLNO-derived measure of alveolar-capillary unit function (DM/ VC) showed improvement (DM/ VC = 12.5 +/- 5.5 versus 7.3 +/- 18.8% change, S versus NS) with no difference between S and NS ( p = 0.74). Sputum expectoration was similar between S and NS conditions (wet sputum = 10.5 +/- 4.6 versus 9.9 +/- 3.2 g, S versus NS, p = 0.25). There were no differences in the improvement in pulmonary function between Vibralung and Vest during either 5-day period during the hospital stay.
Authors' conclusions
Vibralung was well tolerated and caused no detrimental changes in pulmonary function metrics. The Vibralung appears to be a safe ACT in individuals with CF.