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primary studies published RCT

Chest physiotherapy in infants with cystic fibrosis: to tip or not? A five-year study.

  • Year: 2003
  • Date: 2003
  • Author: Button BM
Source

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003 Mar;35(3):208-13.

Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)

RCT

Participants

20 newly diagnosed infants with CF (mean age, 2.1 months; range, 1-4)

Interventions

standard postural drainage chest physiotherapy (SPT) or a modified physiotherapy regimen without head-down tilt (MPT). Parents kept a detailed symptom and treatment diary for the following 12 months.

Outcome measures

Serial chest radiographs, taken at diagnosis, 12 months, 2(1/2) years, and 5 years after diagnosis, were assessed using the Brasfield score. Pulmonary function tests were compared between groups after 5 years.

Main results

Of the 20 infants, 16 (80%) completed the review at 12 months, and 14 (70%) at 2(1/2) and 5 years. Patients receiving SPT had more days with upper respiratory tract symptoms than those on MPT (70 +/- 32.8 vs. 37 +/- 24.9 days; P = 0.04) and required longer courses of antibiotics (23 +/- 28.5 vs. 14 +/- 11.2 days; P = 0.05). Chest x-ray scores were similar at diagnosis but were worse at 2(1/2) years for those receiving SPT (P = 0.03). Forced vital capacity and forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV(1)) at 5-6 years was lower for SPT than for MPT (P < 0.05).

Authors' conclusions

MPT was associated with fewer respiratory complications than SPT in infants with CF.

Related topics

Active cycle of breathing technique in cystic fibrosis

Oscillating devices in cystic fibrosis

Positive expiratory pressure in cystic fibrosis

Keywords: Airway clearance technique; Drainage; Hospitalization; Hospital care; Infant; non pharmacological intervention - devices OR physiotherapy; Postural Drainage; Organization; non pharmacological intervention - psyco-soc-edu-org; Chest physiotherapy;