Physiotherapy for Cystic Fibrosis — Which technique?

Effect of intrathoracic oscillations on pulmonary functions in children with cerebral palsy

Objectives

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of intrathoracic oscillations on pulmonary function in children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Methods

This study comprised 24 boys and girls 6-8 years of age with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. According to the modified Ashworth scale, the degree of spasticity was 2 to 2+. The children were able to sit independently and follow instructions. The children were randomly divided into a study group and control group. A spirometer was used to examine each child before and after 6 weeks. Children in the control group received traditional chest physiotherapy (postural drainage and percussion), whereas children in the study group underwent quake device training. For 6 weeks, both groups received four sessions per week. After treatment, the results were collected. Paired t-test and independent-samples t-test were applied to compare the means for each group. p-values <0.05 were considered significant.

Results

The post-treatment results of forced expiratory volume at 1 s, peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity, and the ratio of forced expiratory volume at 1 s to forced vital capacity demonstrated significant differences favoring the study group over the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.023, respectively).

Conclusion

Intrathoracic oscillations may improve pulmonary function in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Effects of chest physiotherapy and aerobic exercise training on physical fitness in young children with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis is a multisystem disease where the main problems are existing in the respiratory system. Aerobic exercise programs are effective in increasing physical fitness and muscle endurance in addition to chest physiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chest physiotherapy and aerobic exercise training on physical fitness in young children with cystic fibrosis.

METHODS

Sixteen patients with cystic fibrosis, between the ages 5-13 years, were included in this study. All children were assessed at the beginning and at the end of 6 week of the training. Modified Bruce protocol was used for assessing the cardiovascular endurance. The sit-up test was used to evaluate the dynamic endurance of abdominal muscles, standing long jump was used to test power, sit and reach, trunk lateral flexion, trunk hyperextension, trunk rotation and forward bending tests were used to assess flexibility, 20 m shuttle run test and 10-step stair climbing tests were used to assess power and agility. All patients received chest physiotherapy and aerobic training, three days a week for six weeks. Active cycle of breathing technique and aerobic exercise training program on a treadmill were applied.

RESULTS

By evaluating the results of the training, positive progressions in all parameters except 20 m shuttle run and 10 stairs climbing tests were observed (p < 0.05). Active cycle of breathing techniques were used together with exercise training in clinically stable cystic fibrosis patients increases thoracic mobility (p < 0.05) and the physical fitness parameters such as muscle endurance, strength and speed (p < 0.05). Comparison of the results in sit and reach and forward bending tests were not significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It is thought that in addition to medical approaches to the systems affected, the active cycle of breathing techniques along with aerobic training helps to enhance the aerobic performance, thoracic mobility and improves physical fitness in children with cystic fibrosis.

Change in physiotherapy management of children with cystic fibrosis in a large urban hospital

A retrospective audit was conducted in 1998 and 2000 to review the physiotherapy management of hospitalized children with cystic fibrosis (CF) at the Brisbane Royal Children's Hospital (RCH). The objective was to detect and explore possible changes in patient management in this time period and investigate whether these changes reflected changes in the current theory of CF management. All children over two years of age with CF admitted during 1998 and 2000 with pulmonary manifestation and who satisfied set criteria were included (n = 249). Relative frequency of each of six treatment modalities used were examined on two occasions, revealing some degree of change in practice reflecting the changes in current theory. There was a significant decrease in the frequency of usage of postural drainage with head-down tilt (p < 0.001), and autogenic drainage (p < 0.001) between 1998 and 2000. Modified postural drainage without head-down tilt (p < 0.001), and positive expiratory pressure devices (p < 0.001) were used more frequently in 2000 (p < 0.001). No significant changes were identified in the use of Flutter VRP1 (p = 0.145) and exercise (p = 0.763). No significant differences were found in population demographics or occurrence of concomitant factors that may influence patient management.

Early physiotherapy in the respiratory intensive care unit

Physiotherapy is an integral part of the management of patients in respiratory intensive care units (RICUs). The most important aim in this area is to enhance the overall patient's functional capacity and to restore his/her respiratory and physical independence, thus decreasing the risks of bed rest associated complications. This article is a review of evidence-based effectiveness of weaning practices and physiotherapy treatment for patients with respiratory insufficiency in a RICU. Literature searches were performed using general and specialty databases with appropriate keywords. The evidence for applying a weaning process and physiotherapy techniques in these patients has been described according to their individual rationale and efficacy. The growing number of patients treated in RICUs all over the world makes this non pharmacological approach both welcome and interesting. However, to date, there are only strong recommendations concerning the evidence-based strategies to speed weaning. Early physiotherapy may be effective in ICU: however, most techniques (postures, limb exercise and percussion/vibration in particular) need to be further studied in a large population. Evidence supporting physiotherapy intervention is limited as there are no studies examining the specific effects of interventions on long-term outcome.

The flutter device and expiratory pressures

PURPOSE

Flutter therapy uses a handheld instrument that consists of a pipe-like device with a ball in the central core that oscillates during exhalation, providing oscillating positive expiratory pressure. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of airflow and the incline of the device at the mouth on expiratory pressure and oscillation frequency.

METHODS

A Flutter device was attached to a circuit that consisted of a pneumotachograph and a ventilator. The ventilator generated different flows and expiratory pressure was measured with a pressure transducer. The angles considered were +40 degrees to -40 degrees in increments of 10 degrees , with the reference for incline being the horizontal line. Expiratory pressure, airflow, angle of incline, and oscillation frequency were measured.

RESULTS

There was a strong and significant correlation between flow and expiratory pressure at each level of incline (P < or =006; r > 0.93). There also was a significant and strong correlation between expiratory pressure and oscillation frequency (P <.05; r = 0.81-0.97). There was a significant reduction in expiratory pressure at a negative incline of -40 degrees.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that a positive incline and a large airflow result in an increase in expiratory pressure. This information will assist clinicians to better understand the effects of the Flutter device.

Restoration of lung volume using the Flutter VRP1 or breathing exercise

A method of chest wall restriction imposed for 30 minutes demonstrated a mean (SD) decrease of 42 (14) per cent in forced vital capacity (FVC) during restrictor application. Following the application of chest wall restriction, 30 healthy subjects then underwent a 15 minute treatment with either Flutter VRP1 (Flutter) or breathing exercise with end-inspiratory hold (BE) after chest wall restriction release. Both Flutter and BE applied for 15 minutes immediately restored FVC to pre-restriction values. Tidal breathing control subjects demonstrated a clinically small but statistically significant decrease in FVC of 3 per cent (p<0.001). Visual analogue assessment of each treatment technique showed BE to be the subject- preferred technique for lung volume restoration. This study shows that in normal subjects, Flutter and BE are equally effective in restoring FVC and superior to tidal breathing.

Comparison of Flutter device and chest physical therapy in the treatment of cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbation

Chest physiotherapy (CPT) is recommended for the clearance of bronchial secretions in the management of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The Flutter valve (Scandipharm, Birmingham, AL) has been introduced as an alternative method to CPT for airway mucus clearance. The objective of this study was to compare the short-term effects of CPT and the Flutter valve on pulmonary function and exercise tolerance in patients with cystic fibrosis. Twenty-three patients, 5 to 21 years of age, were randomized to receive one of two interventions: CPT or the Flutter valve, upon admission to the hospital for a 2-week treatment of pulmonary exacerbation. Pulmonary function testing (PFTs) and the 6-min walk test were performed on admission, day 7, and day 14 of hospitalization. Data analysis indicated no significant differences between the two groups on admission. Both groups showed improvement in pulmonary function test results, but the Flutter group had a higher mean forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV(1)) compared to the CPT group after 1 week of intervention. Both groups continued to improve during the 2-week intervention, with no significant difference in FVC or FEV(1) between groups by the end of 2 weeks. Mean forced expiratory flow rate between 25-75% of vital capacity (FEF(25-75)), 6-min walk distance, and resting arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO(2)) showed little change by day 7, but improved significantly (P< 0.05) by day 14 of hospitalization in both groups, with no significant difference between groups. This study demonstrated that patients using the Flutter device had better pulmonary function after 1 week of therapy and similar improvement in pulmonary function and exercise tolerance compared to CPT after 2 weeks of therapy, suggesting that Flutter valve therapy is an acceptable alternative to standard CPT during in-hospital care of patients with CF.

Anaesthesia and cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis occurs in 1 in 2000 children and the majority now reach adulthood. The disease is a complex multisystem disorder which is likely to challenge anaesthetists with increasing frequency. In this review the presentation and genetics of the disease are briefly described, followed by a detailed account of the pathophysiology relevant to anaesthesia. The pre-operative assessment and conduct of anaesthesia are discussed and some suggestions made regarding management.