exercise, physiotherapy, and combinations of exercise and physiotherapy
Outcome measures
sputum expectoration
Main results
Any treatment which included physiotherapy either alone or in combination with exercise produced a significantly higher sputum weight during treatment time than did exercise alone (P < 0.01). This trend was true for both high (greater than 35 g in 24 h) and low (less than 35 g in 24 h) sputum producers (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in FEV1 and FVC 30 min after any treatment. The treatment option preferred by patients to continue at home was exercise followed by physiotherapy (P < 0.001). Exercise alone was less productive than the other three modalities in clearing sputum (P < 0.001).
Keywords: Adult; exercise; non pharmacological intervention - devices OR physiotherapy; Combined Modality Therapy;