Immediate and long-term effects of chest physiotherapy in patients with cystic fibrosis

J Pediatr. 1983 Oct;103(4):538-42. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(83)80579-4.

Abstract

Both the immediate and long-term effects of chest physical therapy administered by a parent were evaluated in eight children with cystic fibrosis. Spirometric and plethysmographic evaluations were performed pre-CPT and at 5 and 30 minutes post-CPT. The pre-CPT measurements after a three-week period with no CPT were compared with the values while receiving CPT on a regular twice daily basis. There was a significant decrease after three weeks without CPT for FVC (P less than 0.025), FEV1 (P less than 0.005), FEF25-75 (P less than 0.005), and Vmax60TLC (P less than 0.025). When the patients had been receiving CPT on a regular basis, the only immediate effect was an increase in PEFR after 30 minutes post-CPT (P less than 0.05). After three weeks without CPT, there were increases at 30 minutes post-CPI for FVC (P less than 0.005) and Vmax60TLC (P less than 0.05). These findings indicate that although there may be little immediate functional improvement when CPT is received on a regular basis, a three-week period without CPT leads to a worsening of the functional status, which is reversed with renewal of regular CPT.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cystic Fibrosis / physiopathology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / therapy*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Home Nursing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Percussion
  • Phenylephrine / administration & dosage
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / methods*
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Vibration / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Phenylephrine