Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Randomised controlled trial. Parallel design.
Participants
67 participants, of which 63 completed. Ages 7-21 years, mild to moderate disease.
Interventions
CCPT versus FET.
Outcome measures
FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75, hospital days, Schwachman, exercise test.
Main results
Patients who performed the forced expiratory technique alone had mean annual rates of decline that were significantly different from zero for forced expiratory volume in 1 second (p less than 0.001), forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (p less than 0.001), and Shwachman clinical score (p less than 0.004). In the group performing conventional physiotherapy with percussion and postural drainage, only the mean annual rate of decline for forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity was significantly different from zero (p less than 0.03), and it was significantly different from the mean rate of decline associated with the forces expiratory technique alone (p less than 0.04).
Authors' conclusions
conventional chest physiotherapy should remain a standard component of therapy in cystic fibrosis.
Keywords: Adolescent; Airway clearance technique; Child; Drainage; non pharmacological intervention - devices OR physiotherapy; pharmacological_intervention; Postural Drainage; Chest physiotherapy; forced expiration technique; Active Cycle of Breathing Technique -ACBT-;