The Flutter VRP1: a new personal pocket therapeutic device used as an adjunct to drug therapy in the management of bronchial asthma.

Respiratory physiotherapy is essential to the treatment of all acute or chronic respiratory disorders in which expectoration difficulties are a major problem. A new personal pocket therapeutic device that looks like a small pipe, the Flutter VRP1, combines safe endobronchial positive expiratory pressure, varying between 10 and 20 cm of water, with oscillations of both the intrabronchial pressure and the flow of exhaled air. We have tested this device in 20 patients (12 males and 8 females) suffering from hyperproductive asthma, presenting in common, among other factors, hypersensitivity to acarids as a major allergen. Patients used the device a minimum of 5 x 5 min daily for 30-45 days as the sole physiotherapy and did not take any mucolytics during the study period. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the vital capacity (VC) and the peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured immediately before and after 1 month of treatment with the Flutter VRP1. All three parameters were significantly improved by the daily use of this therapeutic device. Both objective and subjective improvement was evidenced in 18 of 20 patients.