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primary studies published RCT

Chest percussion: Help or hindrance to postural drainage?

  • Year: 1983
  • Date: 1983
  • Author: Murphy, M.B.
Source

Irish Medical Journal

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

RCT, crossover

Participants

36 treatment sessions in two patients with cystic fibrosis.

Interventions

Mechanical and manual chest percussion, as adjuncts to simple postural drainage. The three forms of therapy were randomly applied in 36 treatment sessions, each lasting 30 minutes.

Outcome measures

Sputum clearance; PEFR, FEV1 and FVC

Main results

Sputum clearance during unassisted postural drainage using forced expiration techniques (23.5 (plus or minus) 5.75 grs/30 mins) was significantly better than during 'Equi-Med' percussor assisted drainage (18.95 (plus or minus) 6.72 grs/30 mins) or manual percussion (17.45 (plus or minus) 6.53 grs/30 mins)P<0.05. PEFR, FEV1 and FVC did not alter significantly during any form of therapy.

Authors' conclusions

Neither manual nor mechanical percussion benefits cystic fibrosis (CF) patients experienced in self-administered postural drainage techniques utilising forced expiratory manoeuvres.

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; non pharmacological intervention - devices OR physiotherapy; Percussion; Postural Drainage; Chest physiotherapy;