Giorgia Patrizio1, Michele D'Andria2, Francesco D'Abrosca3, Antonella Cabiaglia1, Fabio Tanzi4, Giancarlo Garuti5, Antonello Nicolini6. 1. Pulmonology and Rehabilitation Unit, Cuasso al Monte Hospital, Varese, Italy. 2. Physiotherapy Degree Course, Insubria University, Varese, Italy. 3. SITRA, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 4. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, General Hospital, Varese, Italy. 5. Pulmonology Unit, Santa Maria Bianca Hospital, Mirandola, Italy. 6. Respiratory Diseases Unit, General Hospital Sestri Levante, Sestri Levante, Italy.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: K R Chapman; D M Mannino; J B Soriano; P A Vermeire; A S Buist; M J Thun; C Connell; A Jemal; T A Lee; M Miravitlles; S Aldington; R Beasley Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2006-01 Impact factor: 16.671
Authors: Anne E Holland; Martijn A Spruit; Thierry Troosters; Milo A Puhan; Véronique Pepin; Didier Saey; Meredith C McCormack; Brian W Carlin; Frank C Sciurba; Fabio Pitta; Jack Wanger; Neil MacIntyre; David A Kaminsky; Bruce H Culver; Susan M Revill; Nidia A Hernandes; Vasileios Andrianopoulos; Carlos Augusto Camillo; Katy E Mitchell; Annemarie L Lee; Catherine J Hill; Sally J Singh Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2014-10-30 Impact factor: 16.671
Authors: E W Russi; W Karrer; M Brutsche; C Eich; J W Fitting; M Frey; T Geiser; M Kuhn; L Nicod; F Quadri; T Rochat; C Steurer-Stey; D Stolz Journal: Respiration Date: 2013-02-11 Impact factor: 3.580