STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the intrapulmonary percussive ventilator (IPV) to chest physiotherapy (P+PD) with respect to acute changes in (1) pulmonary function and (2) sputum physical properties in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). DESIGN: Randomized crossover. SETTING: Community-based CF referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Nine nonhospitalized person (range 7 to 40 years; median 12.4 years) with moderate to excellent Shwachman scores. INTERVENTIONS: Three treatment regimens: (1) 2.5 mg albuterol delivered via IPV (internal percussive component activated); (2) 2.5 mg albuterol delivered via IPV (internal percussive component inactivated), followed by P+PD; and (3) 2.5 mg albuterol delivered via updraft nebulizer, followed by P+PD. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Outcome measures included pulmonary function testing (PFTs) and quantitative and qualitative sputum analysis. Among the three treatment groups, there were no significant differences in the change in predicted PFTs 1 h or 4 h after treatment, nor in the volume of sputum expectorated in the first 4 or in the subsequent 20 h. Among patients receiving IPV, more serious disease was associated with greater improvement in FEF[25-75] 1 h after treatment, but these differences disappeared by 4 h. There were no meaningful differences in viscoelastic characteristics of sputum expectorated after each treatments. Participants reported general satisfaction with no adverse effects while using IPV. CONCLUSIONS: This initial pilot study suggests (1) stable patients with CF tolerated one treatment of IPV without adverse sequelae, and (2) IPV was as effective as standard aerosol and P+PD in improving short-term PFT results and enhancing sputum expectoration.

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