Airway clearance physiotherapy improves ventilatory dynamics during exercise in patients with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Airflow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation may limit exercise capacity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim was to investigate whether the undertaking of airway clearance physiotherapy (ACT) prior to cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) results in improvements in exercise capacity.


METHODS
A prospective randomised, cross-over pilot study was performed in children aged >9 years. Spirometry, plethysmography and CPET were performed on two separate occasions-one test with ACT prior to CPET and the other without.


RESULTS
12 patients with CF were included in the study with a mean (SD) age of 12.83 (1.85) years. No significant difference in peak oxygen uptake (VO2) was found between the tests. However, lower minute ventilation (VE) and ventilatory equivalents (VEVO2 and VEVCO2) at ventilatory threshold (VT) were noted when ACT was undertaken prior to CPET. The mean(SD) VE (L/min) at VT was 26.67 (5.49) vs 28.92 (6.3) (p=0.05), VEVO2 (L/min) at VT was 24.5 (1.75) vs 26.05 (2.5) (p=0.03) and VEVCO2 (L/min) at VT was 26.58 (2.41) vs 27.98 (2.11) (p=0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
These pilot data suggest that ACT prior to exercise may lead to improved ventilatory dynamics during exercise in individuals with CF.
['Vendrusculo|Fernanda Maria|FM|', 'Johnstone|Zoe|Z|', 'Dhouieb|Elaine|E|', 'Donadio|Márcio V F|MVF|', 'Cunningham|Steven|S|', 'Urquhart|Donald S|DS|']
D000293:Adolescent D058109:Airway Management D002648:Child D003550:Cystic Fibrosis D005080:Exercise Test D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D010101:Oxygen Consumption D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities D010865:Pilot Projects D010991:Plethysmography D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation D013147:Spirometry D016896:Treatment Outcome
cystic fibrosis exercise test exercise physiology physical therapy