Lancet Respir Med. 2016 Dec 20. pii: S2213-2600(16)30427-1. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(16)30427-1.

Randomised controlled single-centre interventional trial

21 paediatric CF patients with normal baseline spirometry.

Reflex zone stimulation technique (RST). The effect of 30 minutes of RST was compared to that of sham therapy in a crossover design. The interventions were performed in random order and planned 6 months apart.

The primary outcome was a change in global ventilation inhomogeneity after intervention, assessed by lung clearance index (LCI(2.5) ) derived from a nitrogen multiple breath washout test. Secondary outcomes included changes in regional ventilation inhomogeneity (indices of acinar [Sacin*Vt] and conductive airway [Scond*Vt] inhomogeneity) and spirometry parameters (inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second). Trunk deformity was assessed by physiotherapists at study entry.

After the RST intervention, the LCI(2.5) (p = 0.004) and Scond*Vt (p = 0.009) decreased significantly, while inspiratory capacity increased (p = 0.012). In the sham-therapy group, none of the parameters changed significantly. Trunk deformity was seen in 76.5% of all patients, and 92.9% of those with trunk deformity showed a decrease in LCI(2.5) after RST.

RST has multiple positive short-term effects on lung function, especially in CF patients with trunk deformities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.