Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Prospective cross-over trial
Participants
Fourteen males and eight females from the national center for CF, with an average FEV(1) of 54%
Interventions
Autogenic drainage (AD). Mechanical insufflator-exsufflator (MI-E). Subjects received either AD or MI-E in a random order.
Outcome measures
Sputum was collected and weighed immediately after treatment. Subjects performed lung function tests at baseline, 20âminutes after and 1âhour after treatment; additionally, a 2-minute walk test was performed at the end of all lung function tests. Saturation, dyspnea scores while resting and after a 2-minute walk and subjective fatigue were recorded.
Main results
Thirty-six percent more sputum was collected following MI-E than AD treatment (Pâ<â.0001). A significant difference in saturation in response to the 2MWT was noted in both treatments significantly less desaturation was recorded after the 2MWT in the MI-E treatment (Pâ<â.01).
Authors' conclusions
Treatment with the MI-E was more effective for clearing sputum in CF subjects, initial evidence suggests that the MI-E may be successfully incorporated into treatment protocols. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term benefits of MI-E in patients with CF.