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Physiologic effects of chest percussion and postural drainage in patients with stable chronic bronchitis
May DB, Munt PW
Chest 1979 Jan;75(1):29-32
clinical trial
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

The effects of a 30-minute period of chest percussion and postural drainage were compared to a sham treatment (infrared lamp) in 35 patients with stable chronic bronchitis and to a period of directed coughing in 11 of these same patients. There were no differences in subjective responses or arterial blood gas levels following therapy. Spirometric studies showed small improvements over baseline values following either treatment but no difference between active and sham treatments. The volume of sputum expectorated during percussion and drainage was significantly greater than during the infrared warming (5.5 versus 1.4 ml) or during the directed coughing (9.0 versus 3.5 ml). Although chest percussion and postural drainage are effective in augmenting the volume of expectorated sputum, no significant alternations in air flow or gas exchange after two hours were demonstrated.

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