Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programmes Within Three Days of Hospitalization for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of early pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) (ie, <3 days of hospitalization) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods

Embase, Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched from their inception to 1 April 2021. Randomized controlled trials were included if they observed the efficacy of early PR in AECOPD patients. Study selection, data extraction, risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed by two researchers independently. Assessment of the risk of bias and eidence quality were evaluated by the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system, respectively.

Results

Fourteen trials (829 participants) were identified. Significant improvement was found in the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD; mean difference (MD): 69.64; 95% CI: 40.26 to 99.01; Z = 4.65, P < 0.0001, low quality). In the subgroup analysis, the exercise-training group showed marked improvement (MD: 96.14; 95% CI: 20.24 to 172.04; Z = 2.48, P = 0.001). The Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score was low (MD: −12.77; 95% CI: −16.03 to −9.50; Z = 7.67, P < 0.0001, moderate quality). Significant effects were not found for the duration of hospital stay, quadriceps muscle strength or five times sit to stand test. Only one serious adverse event was reported in experimental group, which was not associated with early PR.

Conclusion

PR initiated <3 days of hospitalization may increase exercise capacity and improve quality of life, but the results should be interpreted prudently and dialectically, and the role of early PR in AECOPD needs further exploration.

Airway Clearance Techniques: The Right Choice for the Right Patient

The management of bronchial secretions is one of the main problems encountered in a wide spectrum of medical conditions ranging from respiratory disorders, neuromuscular disorders and patients undergoing either thoracic or abdominal surgery. The purpose of this review is illustrate to the reader the different ACTs currently available and the related evidence present in literature. Alongside methods with a strong background behind as postural drainage, manual techniques or PEP systems, the current orientation is increasingly aimed at devices that can mobilize and / or remove secretions. Cough Assist, Vacuum Techniques, systems that modulate airflow have more and more scientific evidence. Different principles combination is a new field of investigation that goes toward an increasing of clinical complexity that will facing us.

Rehabilitation programs for patients with COronaVIrus Disease 2019: consensus statements of Taiwan Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which developed into a pandemic in 2020, has become a major healthcare challenge for governments and healthcare workers worldwide. Despite several medical treatment protocols having been established, a comprehensive rehabilitation program that can promote functional recovery is still frequently ignored. An online consensus meeting of an expert panel comprising members of the Taiwan Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation was held to provide recommendations for rehabilitation protocols in each of the five COVID-19 stages, namely (1) outpatients with mild disease and no risk factors, (2) outpatients with mild disease and epidemiological risk factors, (3) hospitalized patients with moderate to severe disease, (4) ventilator-supported patients with clear cognitive function, and (5) ventilator-supported patients with impaired cognitive function. Apart from medications and life support care, a proper rehabilitation protocol that facilitates recovery from COVID-19 needs to be established and emphasized in clinical practice.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that affects a person's ability to exercise and undertake normal physical function due to breathlessness, poor physical fitness, and muscle fatigue. Patients with COPD often experience exacerbations due to pulmonary infections, which result in worsening of their symptoms, more loss of function, and often require hospital treatment or in severe cases admission to intensive care units. Recovery from such exacerbations is often slow, and some patients never fully return to their previous level of activity. This can lead to permanent disability and premature death.Physical therapists play a key role in the respiratory management and rehabilitation of patients admitted to intensive care following acute exacerbation of COPD. This article discusses the key considerations for respiratory management of patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, providing an evidence-based summary of commonly used interventions. It will also explore the evidence to support the introduction of early and structured programs of rehabilitation to support recovery in both the short and the long term, as well as active mobilization, which includes strategies to minimize or prevent physical loss through early retraining of both peripheral and respiratory muscles.

An integrative review on the positive expiratory pressure (PEP)-bottle therapy for patients with pulmonary diseases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Positive expiratory pressure (PEP)-bottle device delivers a PEP within a range of 10-20 cmH₂ O. PEP treatment is applied to different pathological conditions also in combination with other physiotherapeutic techniques. The primary aim of the present review was to investigate the effects of PEP-bottle therapy in patients with pulmonary diseases and, secondarily, to provide a physiological analysis of its use.

METHODS

The databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cinahl, and Cochrane Library were searched for citations published from their inception until May 2019. Adult participants (>18 years) with pulmonary disease who underwent PEP-bottle treatment, with no restriction on gender, were included in the study. There were no restrictions about the therapeutic settings and the condition of the disease (either acute or chronic).

RESULTS

The literature review returned 97 citations. After duplicates removal, the remaining 77 articles have been screened: 66 have been assessed as not eligible at first because the abstract did not meet the inclusion criteria. Eleven articles were left after the first two steps of selection: four have been excluded after full-text reading.

CONCLUSION

PEP-bottle therapy has been proved to improve lung volume, to reduce hyperinflation, and to remove secretions. The device delivers a pressure equal to the water column only if the inner diameter of the tubing and the width of the air escape orifice are equal or greater than 8 mm, and the length of tubing ranges between 20 and 80 cm. The cost of a PEP-bottle device is significantly lower if compared with other commercially available devices having the same therapeutic purposes.

Airway Clearance with Expiratory Flow Accelerator Technology: Effectiveness of the "Free Aspire" Device in Patients with Severe COPD

OBJECTIVES

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a higher risk of pulmonary infections. This risk not only negatively affects patients' quality of life but also increases social and health costs. Hence, there is a need for an effective rehabilitative treatment including airway clearance. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new tool for bronchial clearance based on expiratory flow accelerator (EFA) technology compared with positive expiratory pressure (PEP) treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty stable patients with COPD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 3-4 stage, were enrolled and allocated to treatment with EFA or Bubble-PEP (BP) for 20 days during a pulmonary rehabilitation program. At baseline and the end of treatment, the following parameters were measured: arterial blood gases (ABG); respiratory function, including peak cough expiratory flow (PCEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure exercise capacity using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), dyspnea using the Medical Research Council scale, and quality of life using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Expiratory flow accelerator showed a significant pre- and post-improvement in ABG and a significantly greater improvement than BP in PCEF, MIP, and 6MWT post-treatment.

CONCLUSION

Expiratory flow accelerator is a valid device compared with BP as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of patients with severe COPD.

Comparison of Effects of Manual and Mechanical Airway Clearance Techniques on Intracranial Pressure in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury on a Ventilator: Randomized, Crossover Trial

BACKGROUND

Physical therapist intervention can play a significant role in the prevention of mechanical and infectious complications in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who are mechanically ventilated.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to observe and compare the effects of manual and mechanical airway clearance techniques on intracranial pressure (ICP) and hemodynamics in patients with severe TBI.

DESIGN

The design was a prospective, randomized, crossover trial.

SETTING

The setting was a neurointensive care unit at a level 1 trauma center.

PATIENTS

Forty-six adult patients aged 18 to 75 years, of either sex, with severe TBI, receiving mechanical ventilatory support with continuous ICP monitoring, and undergoing regular airway clearance techniques participated in this study.

INTERVENTION

Two techniques were performed by a single trained physical therapist. Treatment A was a manual chest percussion technique and treatment B used a mechanical chest wall vibrator. Each treatment was applied for 10 minutes alternately, separated by an interval of 4 hours.

MEASUREMENTS

ICP was measured from the start of intervention to 10 minutes postintervention. Secondary measurements included cerebral perfusion pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure (each from the start of the intervention until 10 minutes postintervention at 1-minute intervals), and arterial blood gas parameters (from just before the start of the intervention and 10 minutes postintervention).

RESULTS

The increases in mean (95% CI) intracranial pressure of 2.4 (1.4-3.4) and 1.0 (0.2-1.8) mmHg, during and after the intervention with treatment A, respectively, were statistically significantly higher than for treatment B, irrespective of sequence. In contrast, a mean heart rate rise of 6.4 (3.3-9.5) beats/min and mean arterial pressure rise of 5.3 (2.0-8.6) mmHg were significantly higher only during the intervention phase of treatment A compared with treatment B. Peak mean values of ICP, heart rate, and arterial pressure were also significantly higher during treatment A. However, mean values of cerebral perfusion pressure or its degree of change were statistically comparable in both treatment groups.

LIMITATIONS

Patients with high baseline ICP values (>20 mmHg) were excluded, and, because of the crossover design, the effect of individual technique on final (long-term) neurological or respiratory outcomes could not be studied.

CONCLUSION

Manual chest percussion technique in patients with severe TBI was associated with statistically significant transient increases in ICP and hemodynamics, compared with the mechanical method. However, such transient increases in ICP by either technique were not clinically relevant in patients with moderate-to-severe TBI without intracranial hypertension on a mechanical ventilator.

Outcome Measures Used in Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Conflicting results about the effects of community-based pulmonary rehabilitation in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) exist, possibly because the variety of outcome measures used and the lack of appropriate measurement properties hinder the development of pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify and review the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and clinical outcome measures of AECOPD that are used in pulmonary rehabilitation and that can be easily applied in a community setting.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched up to July 1, 2016.

STUDY SELECTION

Phase 1 identified outcome measures used in pulmonary rehabilitation for AECOPD. Phase 2 reviewed the measurement properties of the identified outcome measures.

DATA EXTRACTION

One reviewer extracted the data and 2 reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of the studies and the measurement properties of the outcome measures by using the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) recommendations.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Twenty-three PROMs and 18 clinical outcome measures were found. The outcome measures most used were the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (n = 15/37 studies) and the 6-minute walk test (n = 21/37 studies). Thirty-two studies described the measurement properties of 22 PROMs and 7 clinical outcome measures. The methodological quality of the studies was mostly poor, and the measurement properties were mostly indeterminate. The outcome measure exhibiting more robust properties was the COPD Assessment Test.

LIMITATIONS

A Number of studies were not found with the validated search strategy used and were included a posteriori; the fact that 3 studies presented combined results- for patients who were stable and patients with exacerbation-affected the conclusions that can be drawn.

CONCLUSIONS

A Large variety of outcome measures have been used; however, studies on their measurement properties are needed to enhance the understanding of community pulmonary rehabilitation for AECOPD.

Self-management behaviors to reduce exacerbation impact in COPD patients: a Delphi study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about which self-management behaviors have the highest potential to influence exacerbation impact in COPD patients. We aimed to reach expert consensus on the most relevant set of self-management behaviors that can be targeted and influenced to maximize reduction of exacerbation impact.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 2-round Delphi study was performed using online surveys to rate the relevance and feasibility of predetermined self-management behaviors identified by literature and expert opinion. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analyses were used.

RESULTS

An international expert panel reached consensus on 17 self-management behaviors focusing on: stable phase (n=5): pharmacotherapy, vaccination, physical activity, avoiding stimuli and smoking cessation; periods of symptom deterioration (n=1): early detection; during an exacerbation (n=5): early detection, health care contact, self-treatment, managing stress/anxiety and physical activity; during recovery (n=4): completing treatment, managing stress/anxiety, physical activity and exercise training; and after recovery (n=2): awareness for recurrent exacerbations and restart of pulmonary rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

This study has provided insight into expert opinion on the most relevant and feasible self-management behaviors that can be targeted and influenced before, during and after an exacerbation to exert the highest magnitude of influence on the impact of exacerbations. Future research should focus at developing more comprehensive patient-tailored interventions supporting patients in these exacerbation-related self-management behaviors.

[Manual airway clearance techniques in adults and adolescents: What level of evidence?]

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic literature review was to grade the levels of evidence of the most widely used manual airway clearance techniques.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted over the period 1995-2014 from the Medline, PEDro, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, REEDOC and kinedoc databases, with the following keywords: "postural drainage", "manual vibrations", "manual chest percussion", "directed cough", "increased expiratory flow", "ELTGOL", "autogenic drainage" and "active cycle of breathing technique".

RESULTS

Two-hundred and fifty-six articles were identified. After removing duplicates and reading the titles and abstracts, 63 articles were selected, including 9 systematic reviews. This work highlights the lack of useful scientific data and the difficulty of determining levels of evidence for manual airway clearance techniques. Techniques were assessed principally with patients with sputum production (cystic fibrosis, DDB, COPD, etc.). It also shows the limited pertinence of outcome measures to quantify congestion and hence the efficacy of airway clearance techniques.

CONCLUSION

The 1994 consensus conference summary table classifying airway clearance techniques according to physical mechanism provides an interesting tool for assessment, grouping together techniques having identical mechanisms of action. From the findings of the present systematic review, it appears that only ELTGOL, autogenic drainage and ACBT present levels of evidence "B". All other techniques have lower levels of evidence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Clinical heterogeneity of dominant chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis disease: presenting as treatment-resistant candidiasis and chronic lung disease

In gain-of-function STAT1 mutations, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis disease (CMCD) represents the phenotypic manifestation of a complex immunodeficiency characterized by clinical and immunological heterogeneity. We aimed to study clinical manifestations, long-term complications, molecular basis, and immune profile of patients with dominant CMCD. We identified nine patients with heterozygous mutations in STAT1, including novel amino acid substitutions (L283M, L351F, L400V). High risk of azole-resistance was observed, particularly when intermittent regimens of antifungal treatment or use of suboptimal dosage occurs. We report a case of Cryptococcosis and various bacterial and viral infections. Risk of developing bronchiectasis in early childhood or gradually evolving to chronic lung disease in adolescent or adult ages emerges. Lymphopenia is variable, likely progressing by adulthood. We conclude that continuous antifungal prophylaxis associated to drug monitoring might prevent resistance to treatment; prompt diagnosis and therapy of lung disease might control long-term progression; careful monitoring of lymphopenia-related infections might improve prognosis.

Efficacy of a respiratory rehabilitation exercise training package in hospitalized elderly patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: a randomized control trial

Clinical trials identifier

NCT02329873

Background

Acute exacerbation (AE) of COPD is characterized by a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms. Previous studies have explored the effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation for patients with COPD; however, no training program specific to acute exacerbation in elderly patients or unstable periods during hospitalization has been developed.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a respiratory rehabilitation exercise training package on dyspnea, cough, exercise tolerance, and sputum expectoration among hospitalized elderly patients with AECOPD.

Methods

A randomized control trial was conducted. Pretest and posttest evaluations of 61 elderly inpatients with AECOPD (experimental group n=30; control group n=31) were performed. The experimental group received respiratory rehabilitation exercise training twice a day, 10–30 minutes per session for 4 days. The clinical parameters (dyspnea, cough, exercise tolerance, and sputum expectoration) were assessed at the baseline and at the end of the fourth day.

Results

All participants (median age =70 years, male =60.70%, and peak expiratory flow 140 L) completed the study. In the patients of the experimental group, dyspnea and cough decreased and exercise tolerance and sputum expectoration increased significantly compared with those of the patients in the control group (all P<0.05). Within-group comparisons revealed that the dyspnea, cough, and exercise tolerance significantly improved in the experimental group by the end of the fourth day (all P<0.05).

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest that the respiratory rehabilitation exercise training package reduced symptoms and enhanced the effectiveness of the care of elderly inpatients with AECOPD.

Pulmonary rehabilitation at the time of the COPD exacerbation

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is associated with improvements in exercise capacity, health related quality of life, psychological symptoms and response to utilization. Acute exacerbations threaten these improvements. An awareness of the clinical sequelae of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease enables approaches, such as early post exacerbation rehabilitation to mitigate its negative effects.

Advances in airway clearance technologies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Techniques to promote clearance of sputum from the airways (airway clearance techniques; ACTs) have existed in clinical practice for more than a century. This review examines current evidence and clinical recommendations regarding ACTs for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Comparisons between this literature and reports of current practice suggest that discrepancies may exist in relation to the clinical management of sputum in individuals with COPD. The novel application of newer technologies has enhanced our ability to assess the complex physiological processes underpinning airway clearance therapy. The potential for physiologically tailored ACT prescription may, however, depend on the capacity for translation of such technology from the research setting into the clinical environment. Future directions regarding this common form of therapy will be discussed, including identification of the key research priorities to optimize evidence-based practice in this area.

BAL for pneumonia prevention in tracheostomy patients: A clinical trial study

Objective: To evaluate the role of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on pneumonia prevention of tracheostomy patients in intensive care unit.

Methodology: This clinical trial was conducted on 67 head-injury patients who needed tracheostomy. The eligible patients were divided into two groups of different methods for removing the airway secretions. In intervention group, FB and BAL was added to routine conventional methods for airway clearance. Patients were followed for signs and symptoms of pneumonia.

Results: The risk of nosocomial pneumonia decreased from 35% to 14% in intervention group. The days of hospital stay were significantly reduced with bronchoscopic method.

Conclusions: Flexible Bronchoscopy is recommended to all ICU admitted patients that have tracheostomy tube and high volume of secretion in their airways. It can not only prevent the pneumonia formation decrease the morbidity and mortality rate but it can even shorten the ICU stay time and consequently reduce the costs of treatment.

Impact of physiotherapy on patients with advanced lung cancer

Patients with lung cancer have high mortality and high morbidity. Lung cancer-related symptoms and problems such as dyspnea, fatigue, pain, and cachexia that begin in the early phase later result in poor physical functioning, psychosocial, and quality of life status. In addition, advancing age is associated with significant comorbidity. These patients may benefit from multidisciplinary therapy to reduce the perceived severity of dyspnea and fatigue and increase physical functioning and quality of life. Based on management of symptoms and problems such as dyspnea, physical inactivity, cancer-related fatigue, respiratory secretions, pain, and anxiety–depression of these patients, it is thought that physiotherapy techniques can be used on advanced lung cancer patients following a comprehensive evaluation. However, well-designed, prospective, and randomized-controlled trials are needed to prove the efficacy of physiotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation in general for patients with advanced lung cancer.

Persistent cigarette smoking and other tobacco use after a tobacco-related cancer diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

People who continue to smoke after a cancer diagnosis have an increased risk for recurrences or development of new malignancies. These risks may be even higher among tobacco-related cancer survivors (TRCS). We describe tobacco use behaviors among TRCS, other cancer survivors, and people without a history of cancer.

METHODS

We used 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to describe demographic characteristics, smoking history, current smoking prevalence, and smokeless tobacco use among TRCS, other cancer survivors, and people without a history of cancer (cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use were calculated after adjusting for age, sex, race, and insurance status). Tobacco-related cancers were defined as lung/bronchial, pharyngeal, laryngeal, esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, kidney/renal, urinary bladder, cervical, and acute myeloid leukemia.

RESULTS

A total of 20 % of all cancer survivors were TRCS. TRCS were primarily female (68 %) and white (78 %). Smoking prevalence was higher among TRCS (27 %) compared with other cancer survivors (16 %) and respondents without a history of cancer (18 %). Smokeless tobacco use was higher among respondents without a history of cancer (4 %) compared with TRCS (3 %) and other cancer survivors (3 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The self-reported smoking prevalence among TRCS is higher than among other cancer survivors and people without a history of cancer. Targeted smoking prevention and cessation interventions are needed for cancer survivors, especially those diagnosed with a tobacco-related cancer.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

We recommend all cancer survivors be made aware of the health risks associated with smoking after a cancer diagnosis, and smoking cessation services be offered to those who currently smoke. We provide the first population-based report on demographic characteristics and tobacco use behaviors among self-reported tobacco-related cancer survivors.

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs for patients with COPD

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are aimed at providing benefits to COPD patients, in various aspects. Our objective was to review the literature on COPD patient rehabilitation. This systematic review involved articles written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese; published between 2005 and 2009; and indexed in national and international databases. Articles were classified in accordance with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria for the determination of the level of scientific evidence (grade of recommendation A, B, or C). The outcome measures were exercise, quality of life, symptoms, exacerbations, mortality, and pulmonary function. Treatments were classified as standard rehabilitation, partial rehabilitation, strength exercises, and resistance exercises. Of the 40 articles selected, 4, 18, and 18 were classified as grades A, B, and C, respectively. Of the 181 analyses made in these articles, 61, 50, 23, 23, 20, and 4, respectively, were related to the outcome measures quality of life, exercise, symptoms, exacerbations, pulmonary function, and mortality. The standard rehabilitation programs showed positive effects on all of the outcomes evaluated, except for mortality (because of the small number of analyses). However, we found no differences among the various rehabilitation programs regarding their effects on the outcomes studied. Rehabilitation programs can be considered important tools for the treatment of COPD. Therefore, health administrators should implement public policies including such programs in the routine of health care facilities.

Airway clearance techniques for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Cough and sputum production are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) aim to remove sputum from the lungs, however evidence of their efficacy during acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) or stable disease is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety and efficacy of ACTs for individuals with AECOPD and stable COPD.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials from inception to October 2011, and PEDro in October 2009.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised parallel trials and randomised cross-over trials which compared an ACT to no treatment, cough or sham ACT in participants with investigator-defined COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently conducted data extraction and assessed the risk of bias. We analysed data from studies of AECOPD separately from stable COPD, and classified the effects of ACTs as 'immediate' (less than 24 hours), 'short-term' (24 hours to eight weeks) or 'long-term' (greater than eight weeks). One subgroup analysis compared the effects of ACTs that use positive expiratory pressure (PEP) to those that do not.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies on 907 participants were included in the review. Study sample size was generally small (range 5 to 96 people) and overall quality was generally poor due to inadequate blinding and allocation procedures. Meta-analyses were limited by heterogeneity of outcome measurement and inadequate reporting of data.In people experiencing AECOPD, ACT use was associated with small but significant short-term reductions in the need for increased ventilatory assistance (odds ratio (OR) 0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05 to 0.85; data from four studies on 171 people), the duration of ventilatory assistance (mean difference (MD) -2.05 days, 95% CI -2.60 to -1.51; mean duration for control groups seven days; data from two studies on 54 people) and hospital length of stay (MD -0.75 days, 95% CI -1.38 to -0.11; mean duration for control groups nine days; one study on 35 people). Data from a limited number of studies revealed no significant long-term benefits of ACTs on the number of exacerbations or hospitalisations, nor any short-term beneficial effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as measured by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score (MD -2.30, 95% CI -11.80 to 7.20; one study on 59 people).In people with stable COPD, data from single studies revealed no significant short-term benefit of ACTs on the number of people with exacerbations (OR 3.21, 95% CI 0.12 to 85.20; one study on 30 people), significant short-term improvements in HRQoL as measured by the SGRQ total score (MD -6.10, 95% CI -8.93 to -3.27; one study on 15 people) and a reduced long-term need for respiratory-related hospitalisation (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.95; one study on 35 participants).The magnitude of effect of PEP-based ACTs on the need for increased ventilatory assistance and hospital length of stay was greater than for non-PEP ACTs, however we found no statistically significant subgroup differences. There was one report of vomiting during treatment with postural drainage and head-down tilt.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from this review indicates that airway clearance techniques are safe for individuals with COPD and confer small beneficial effects on some clinical outcomes. Consideration may be given to the use of airway clearance techniques for patients with COPD in both acute and stable disease, however current studies suggest that the benefits achieved may be small.