Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
RCT cross-over design.
Participants
Single centre UK trial. 24 (14 male, 10 female) randomised, but only 20 included in the study. Age range 16 - 36 years; mean age 24.4 years. Stable as according to no clinical findings. Positive sweat test for CF. 4 participants withdrew (3 males, 1 female); 2 had to have drug regimens changed; 2 withdrew due to technical problems with oximeter and sputum collection.
Interventions
ACBT vs Flutter and ACBT, 2 supervised treatments per day then alternate treatment on following day. In addition 2 different postural drainage positions were used, but no statistical difference noted between treatments.
Outcome measures
Respiratory function, wet sputum weight and participant satisfaction.
Main results
The claims could not be substantiated and the possibility of sputum retention was of concern when the Flutter was used as significantly more sputum (P < 0.001) was cleared with the active cycle of breathing techniques alone. There were no significant changes in lung function or oxygenation.