Effect of manual chest wall compression in participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[Purpose] Pulmonary rehabilitation is appropriate for most individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary rehabilitation consists of conditioning and exercise therapy. Conditioning includes relaxation, breathing exercises, and manual chest wall compression during expiration (CWC). CWC improves the symptoms in individuals with respiratory disease who have undergone mechanical ventilation. However, evidence supporting the effectiveness of CWC for COPD has been insufficient. This study aimed to determine physiological responses to CWC in participants with COPD. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-nine participants with COPD were included in the study. Manual CWC techniques were performed in a comfortable position chosen by the participants (sitting, forward-leaning (sitting), or semi-Fowler's). Ventilatory parameters, occlusion airway pressure (P0.1), and dyspnea were assessed using a visual analog scale and were compared before and during CWC.
[Results] During manual CWC, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration, and dyspnea were significantly decreased; however, P0.1 was not affected.
[Conclusion] Manual CWC for COPD had an immediate physiological effect, including a decrease in dyspnea that may have been facilitated by a reduced workload of the respiratory muscles. Thus, manual CWC may be effective for dyspnea by reducing oxygen consumption in the respiratory muscles.

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary rehabilitation is appropriate for most individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary rehabilitation consists of conditioning and exercise therapy. Conditioning includes relaxation, breathing exercises, and manual chest wall compression during expiration (CWC). Exercise therapy primarily consists of exercise, including limb muscle strength training and endurance training via walking or ergometer1, 2). Because dyspnea frequently observed in chronic respiratory disease is one of the limiting factors of exercise, the effect of exercise therapy can change significantly depending on success in controlling dyspnea. CWC, in positions such as semi-Fowler’s, forward-leaning sitting with pillow, or forward-leaning sitting with supporting elbow on knee, is often used to improve dyspnea before, during, and after exercise. Using the manual CWC technique, patients exhale their own breath to a lower than functional residual capacity facilitated by pressure from a therapist’s hand; their thorax subsequently expands by its own elastic recoil. This reduces workload on the inspiratory muscles and increases tidal volume (VT). It appears that these interventions reduce dyspnea due to improved breathing efficiency and a reduction in the consumption of oxygen in respiratory muscles. There have been reports of the effects of CWC in COPD and symptomatic controls3). However, evidence supporting the effectiveness of this technique has been insufficient, despite the frequency of use of this maneuver in Japan. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to experimentally verify the effects of manual CWC from a physiological perspective.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

A total of 29 ambulatory participants (25 males, 4 females) with COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] stage 1 [n=3]; stage 2 [n=11]; stage 3 [n=8]; stage 4 [n=7]), who did not require home oxygen therapy, were recruited from the Kirigaoka Tsuda Hospital (Fukuoka, Japan). None of the participants had severe orthopedic, cardiovascular, or central nervous system disorder(s), and all had locomotor abilities with/without cane (Table 1). The advantages and disadvantages of participating in this study were explained to all participants before informed written consent was obtained from each. This study was approved by the Kyorin University institutional ethics committee (approval no. 24-22 in 2014).

Table 1.

Characteristics of participants

	Overall (n=29)	GOLD stage
		1 (n=3)	2 (n=11)	3 (n=8)	4 (n=7)
Age (years)	74.0 ± 8.7	59.7 ± 4.2	78.0 ± 6.0	75.5 ± 4.2	72.3 ± 11.3
Height (cm)	163.3 ± 8.5	172.3 ± 6.8	165.4 ± 7.4	162.8 ± 6.1	157.0 ± 9.9
Weight (kg)	58.7 ± 11.2	65.0 ± 4.4	64.6 ± 10.6	57.8 ± 9.2	47.9 ± 8.8
FVC (l)	2.69 ± 1.2	4.80 ± 0.6	3.22 ± 0.5	2.31 ± 0.6	1.40 ± 0.5
FEV1 (l)	1.38 ± 0.8	3.29 ± 0.0	1.64 ± 0.3	0.99 ± 0.2	0.61 ± 0.2
FEV1% (%)	50.6 ± 14.4	69.4 ± 8.8	51.6 ± 10.7	46.5 ± 14.1	45.8 ± 17.1
%FEV1 (%)	52.6 ± 24.0	101.3 ± 4.0	65.7 ± 11.8	41.6 ± 10.0	30.1 ± 56.0
VC (l)	3.13 ± 1.0	5.19 ± 0.2	3.44 ± 0.6	2.66 ± 0.5	2.05 ± 0.6
PImax (cmH2O)	56.1 ± 23.3	75.0 ± 41.0	62.7 ± 20.4	51.0 ± 13.5	43.6 ± 24.3
PEmax (cmH2O)	72.8 ± 31.5	103.7 ± 56.6	81.9 ± 23.2	63.8 ± 31.5	55.4 ± 20.1

Data presented as mean ± SD. GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; FVC: forced vital capacity; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FEV1%: FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio; %FEV1: FEV1/FEV1predicted; VC, vital capacity; PImax: maximal inspiratory pressure; PEmax: maximal expiratory pressure.

Vital capacity (VC), FEV1, FEV % in 1 s (FEV1%), and FVC were measured using spirometry (HI-801, CHEST MI, Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Maximum inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) was measured using a respiratory muscle strength device (0100, Micro Medical, Rochester Kent, UK).

Occlusion airway pressure (P0.1) was evaluated as an alternative index for respiratory motor output4,5,6). An airway occlusion system (model 9326, Hans Rudolph, Shawnee Mission, KS, USA) was used to measure P0.1 during exercise (dead space 48.9 ml). A differential pressure transducer (DP-10, Validyne, CA, USA) was used to measure airway pressure, and a metabolic gas analyzer (AE-300S, Minato Medical Science, Osaka, Japan) was used to measure ventilatory parameters. A hot-wire flow transducer was connected to the outlet of the airway occlusion system, and a mask (MAS0215, Minato Medical Science, Osaka, Japan) was connected to the oral side port. To measure airway pressure, a differential pressure transducer was connected to the airway occlusion system via a tube (diameter 4 mm) (Fig. 1). The inlet of the airway occlusion system was occluded using a balloon with manual manipulation at the end of expiration, and held until the beginning of inspiration. Oral pressure was measured 100 ms after beginning expiration and defined as P0.17, 8). P0.1 was measured randomly five times, and the mean value calculated from 4 stable measurements was recorded8). Electrocardiography (WEP-7202, Nihonkoden, Tokyo, Japan) was used to measure heart rate. Analog signals from raw flow pressure and electrocardiography were downloaded into a personal computer via an AD converter (PowerLab 16/30, ADInstruments, Sydney, Australia) at a sampling frequency of 1,000 Hz. These signals were analyzed using commercially available software (Chart 5.3, ADInstruments, Sydney, Australia) to calculate VT, minute ventilation (V̇E), oxygen consumption (V̇O2), carbon dioxide production (V̇CO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (ETCO2), breathing frequency, heart rate, and P0.1. A 10 cm visual analog scale was used to measure dyspnea. Because COPD is characterized by weakness in respiratory muscle strength, P0.1 was corrected to PImax (P0.1/PImax)9).

Fig. 1.

Measuring equipment. The airway occlusion system used to measure P0.1. A pressure transducer was connected to the side port of the airway occlusion system to measure mouth pressure, while a hot-wire flow transducer from the gas analyzer was connected to the expiratory port. The analog signal from the gas analyzer, as well as measurements from the pressure transducer, were continuously recorded using an analog-to-digital converter. PC: Personal computer.

Participants were first asked to place themselves in a sitting, forward-leaning (sitting), and semi-Fowler’s position, and asked to choose for themselves the most comfortable position for breathing. These positions are described as follows: sitting position (sitting on a chair with a backrest, with feet touching the floor; forward-leaning sitting position (body bent forward with a pillow); semi-Fowler’s position (lying on a bed with head at a 30° and knees slightly bent). A senior physical therapist performed manual CWC by way of pressing on the bilateral lower rib cage during expiration. The strength of rib cage compression was adjusted to one in which the participants were most comfortable based on interview feedback.

Participants were asked to place themselves in their chosen position; ventilation and HR were measured for 5 min thereafter. They then received manual CWC from a therapist while remaining in the same position. Manual CWC was continued for 5 min, after which P0.1 measurements were repeated five times at 1 min intervals. Finally, dyspnea before/after manual CWC was assessed according to a visual analog scale.

SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis. The correlation between GOLD stage and respiratory function was determined using Pearson correlation analysis. The χ2 test was used to compare GOLD stage and positioning. The Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare values before and after manual breathing assistance. All values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

The positioning selected by the participants is summarized in Table 2. Chosen positioning differed according to individual GOLD stage: the semi-Fowler’s position was most frequently chosen by participants in GOLD stage 3; the forward-leaning sitting position was chosen most by those in GOLD stage 4 (p=0.03). Among all participants, 19 (65.5%) chose the semi-Fowler’s position. Changes in ventilation index before and after breathing assistance are summarized in Tables 3 and 4. V̇O2, V̇CO2, ETCO2, and visual analog scale decreased after manual breathing assistance (p=0.003, p=0.003, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively) although VT, P0.1, and P0.1/PImax were not affected.

Table 2.

The most comfortable breathing position selected by participants

GOLD stage	Sitting	Forward leaning sitting	Semi-Fowler’s position
1	1 (0.6)	1 (0.4)	1 (−1.0)
2	3 (1.5)	1 (−1.3)	7 (−0.2)
3	0 (−1.1)	0 (−1.7)	8* (2.8)
4	0 (−1.0)	4* (2.6)	3 (−1.6)
Total	4	6	19

Data presented as n (adjusted residual). χ2 p=0.03; effect size (φ)=0.03. GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. *Statistically significant.

Table 3.

Comparison of ventilatory parameters and heart rate (HR) before and after breathing assistance

Parameter	Before	After	p value (ES)
VT (l)	0.63 ± 0.15	0.65 ± 0.20	0.906
V̇E (l/min)	10.2 ± 2.63	9.86 ± 3.27	0.188
Mean flow (ml/s)	0.29 ± 0.09	0.28 ± 0.11	0.242
V̇O2 (l/min)	0.22 ± 0.07	0.19 ± 0.06	0.003* (0.53)
V̇CO2 (l/min)	0.17 ± 0.04	0.15 ± 0.05	0.003* (0.52)
ETCO2 (%)	3.98 ± 0.63	3.70 ± 0.62	0.001* (0.65)
f (breaths/min)	16.2 ± 4.17	15.7 ± 4.13	0.331
HR (beats/min)	74.3 ± 7.31	75.3 ± 5.88	0.600

Data presented as mean ± SD. VT: tidal volume; V̇E: minute ventilation; Mean flow: mean expiratory flow rate; V̇O2: oxygen consumption; V̇CO2: carbon dioxide production; ETCO2: end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration; f: breathing frequency; ES: effect size. *Statistically significant.

Table 4.

Comparison of respiratory motor output and visual analog scale between before and after breathing assist

Parameter	Before	After	p value (ES)
P0.1 (cmH2O)	2.70 ± 1.0	2.69 ± 1.1	0.963
P0.1/PImax (%)	5.61 ± 3.1	5.84 ± 4.3	0.519
Visual analog scale (cm)	1.22 ± 1.3	0.82 ± 1.3	0.001* (0.72)

Data presented as mean ± SD. P0.1: airway-occlusion pressure 0.1 s after the start of inspiratory flow; P0.1/PImax: airway-occlusion pressure 0.1 s after the start of inspiratory flow/maximal inspiratory pressure; PImax: maximal inspiratory pressure; ES: Effect size. *Statistically significant.

DISCUSSION

In our study, the most comfortable breathing position chosen by participants with COPD differed according to their GOLD stage. The reason for reduced dyspnea based on positioning is explained by ventilatory mechanics. When supine, the abdominal viscus presses the diaphragm into the rib cage compared with the upright position10). Therefore, although elevation of the diaphragm is supported by these pressures during expiration, stronger contractions are needed to move the diaphragm. The tension-length relationship of the diaphragm is improved by its movement into the rib cage in the supine position11). These effects, however, are altered to the contrary in the upright position. The semi-Fowler’s position confers benefits from both the effect of gravity and improvement in length-tension relationship because it is intermediary between lying and upright. Furthermore, the semi-Fowler’s position is equivalent to the lying position given that the entire body is supported by an external surface. Oxygen consumption may be lower because of low skeletal muscle activity while in the semi-Fowler’s position.

Only participants in GOLD stage 4 chose the forward-leaning sitting position instead of the semi-Fowler’s position. The forward leaning posture has been shown to be highly effective and is probably the body position most adopted by patients with lung disease12,13,14). The effectiveness of this position does not appear to be related to the severity of airway obstruction, changes in V̇E, or improved oxygenation. Hyperinflation and paradoxical abdominal movement were, in fact, reported to be related to the relief of dyspnea in the forward-leaning position. Alternatively, forward leaning has been associated with a significant reduction in electromyographic activity of the scalene and sternomastoid muscles under transdiaphragmatic pressure12). From these studies, it was concluded that the subjective improvement of dyspnea in patients with COPD was the result of a more favorable position of the diaphragm with regard to its length-tension curve. In addition, forward leaning with arm support enables accessory muscles (pectoralis minor and major) to significantly contribute to rib cage elevation. The same holds true for the forward leaning position with head support, enabling the accessory neck muscles to assist inspiration. The forward-leaning sitting position facilitates increases in the diameter or circumference of the rib cage and lung volume; consequently, individuals in this position experience improved dyspnea15,16,17). These facts may be the reason that forward-leaning sitting was chosen as most comfortable position in patients in GOLD stage 4. Postures in which participants were most comfortable differed according to disease severity. Therefore, we chose to perform our evaluations from among sitting, forward-leaning, and semi-Fowler’s positioning in our study.

Several studies have also reported that manual CWC during expiration increases expiratory flow rates, improves removal of airway secretions, gas exchange, and pulmonary mechanics in patients on mechanical ventilation18,19,20), and those with cystic fibrosis21), COPD22), and asthma23). The physiological effects of CWC have been studied in patients with COPD3). During CWC, the COPD group demonstrated significantly higher peak expiratory and inspiratory flow rates, VT, inspiratory capacity, inspiratory and expiratory times, and the ratio of VT to inspiratory time, than during quiet breathing, but not V̇50 and V̇253). These results suggest that CWC may reduce hyperinflation in COPD. In fact, CWC has been used as a technique to reduce dyspnea by reducing hyperinflation24).

V̇O2 and V̇CO2 were significantly decreased, in addition to dyspnea, in our study. It appeared that decreases in V̇O2 and V̇CO2 reflected decreasing respiratory muscle mechanical activity and respiratory muscle metabolism. Respiratory muscle oxygen uptake and consumption were also possibly decreased by CWC. Furthermore, substantial alveolar ventilation increased when considering decreasing ETCO2, although it did not decrease and VT did not increase, despite our predicted results. These results appear to reflect the physiological effect of manual CWC on the respiratory muscles.

We used P0.1 as an alternative respiratory motor output measure because it has been intimately connected with dyspnea, and could be evaluated objectively7, 25). In patients with COPD, P0.1 is clearly higher than in healthy participants26, 27), and higher with increasing severity28). However, both P0.1 and P0.1/PImax were not different before/after manual CWC. Manual CWC is a maneuver in which lung volume is decreased below functional residual capacity (FRC) by forced expirations. When the lung volume is lowered by FRC at initial inspiration, P0.1 is strongly affected by thoracic elastic recoil. Therefore, the resulting P0.1 value reflects inspiratory effort added to thoracic elastic recoil. Although P0.1 was not decreased by manual CWC in our study, we do not believe it increased respiratory motor output.

This study had limitations that should be addressed. Some short-term effects of manual CWC were clearly visible from a physiological perspective; however, we could not examine whether it had a measurable benefit for exercise (i.e., prolonged exercise endurance time, increased V̇O2 max, or aerobic threshold). Furthermore, we considered decreased dyspnea to be related to decreased respiratory muscle activity or respiratory motor output; however, these differences were not reflected in the P0.1 values. This requires direct evaluation of neuromuscular activity (e.g., using electromyography on respiratory muscle, or performing near-infrared spectroscopy on the brain) to clarify supportive evidence. In conclusion, the present study investigated the physiological effects of CWC in participants with COPD. Manual CWC that was administered in positions most comfortable for the participants improved oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, and dyspnea. We conclude that manual CWC may lead to decreased dyspnea in individuals experiencing respiratory failure, and that the physical responses were directly related to the technique.

Funding

This project, from which data were collected, was supported by Kyorin University.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest associated with this manuscript.