Effect of chest physiotherapy on oxygen saturation in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Decreasing arterial oxygen saturation has been reported in patients with cystic fibrosis during postural drainage when this was combined with other manoeuvres, which did not, however, include thoracic expansion exercises or pauses for relaxation and breathing control. When these features were included in an active cycle of breathing techniques during postural drainage in 20 patients with cystic fibrosis there was no fall in arterial oxygen saturation during the procedure (mean values 87.1%, 87.9%, and 86.7% before, during, and after treatment).