Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
randomized cross-over design
Participants
10 CF patients
Interventions
twice daily AD or VRP1 treatment for 4 consecutive weeks. Prior to each therapy interval, one week of wash- in was done without any physiotherapy, but the regular medication.
Outcome measures
At the beginning and end of each 4-week interval, pulmonary function was measured before and after an acute 30 minute therapy. At the end of the physiotherapy session sputum was collected, weighted and deep frozen until analyzed. The viscoelasticity of the sputum was evaluated using the magnetic microrheometer.
Main results
No significant changes during the whole study were noted for vital capacity, FEV1 and sputum volume. Sputum viscoelasticity, however, was significantly lower (p<.01) after therapy with the VRP1 in comparison with AD and as a consequence, the calculated (App 1993) mucociliary clearance index (M.C.I.0 and cough clearance index (C.C.I.) increased.
Keywords: Airway clearance technique; Drainage; flutter; non pharmacological intervention - devices OR physiotherapy; oscillating devices; Chest physiotherapy; Autogenic drainage;