Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients hospitalised for an acute infective pulmonary exacerbation require increased airway clearance. Specialist physiotherapists may be a limited resource. We investigated the use of high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO), in addition to 'usual' airway clearance techniques (ACTs).
OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the utility of HFCWO (The Vest® Airway Clearance System, Hill-Rom) as a self administered therapy compared to European ACTs in facilitating recovery from an acute infective pulmonary exacerbation in people with CF when used in addition to supervised physiotherapy.
METHOD A non-blinded randomised, controlled design was used. Patients who met inclusion criteria were randomised to control or HFCWO groups. All patients received four daily sessions, two supervised by a specialist CF physiotherapist and two carried out independently. The control group carried out their usual ACTs, the study group used HFCWO with pauses to huff and cough. The primary outcome measurement was change in FEV1.
RESULTS n = 36 (64% male). Data was analysed using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test.
CONCLUSION Change in FEV1 was not significantly different between groups, however a significant improvement in FVC was demonstrated. HFCWO should be further explored as an adjunct in treatment of infective pulmonary exacerbations of CF.
- © 2012 ERS