The most commonly used airway clearance techniques for both conditions included active cycle of breathing technique, positioning, deep breathing exercises and positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy using Bottle PEP.
Product development company Design Right Solutions (DRS) has assisted marine engineer Chris Ball in developing PremiAir, an innovative monitor which aims to replace the equipment currently used in Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) treatment, a technique which helps clear users' airways and prevent infections.
Physiotherapy intervention was defined as intervention completed or directed specifically by a physiotherapist for any of the following: directed positioning, mobilisation, transfer, active or passive exercise, manual hyperinflation, ventilator hyperinflation, recruitment manoeuvres, application of oxygen, suction (endotracheal tube, tracheostomy, oral, or nasal), insertion of airway, manual interventions (eg, percussion or vibration), breathing interventions, and positive pressure interventions including continuous positive airway pressure, bilevel positive airway pressure, intermittent positive airway pressure breathing and positive expiratory pressure with or without oscillation.
Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and active cycle of breathing techniques (ACBT) can enhance secretion clearance during face-mask NIV and may also reduce the time on NIV and in the intensive care unit (Bellone et al 2002, Inal-Ince et al 2004).
10) Alternative ACTs, including positive expiratory pressure (PEP) breathing, have been introduced in an effort to provide effective secretion clearance while promoting treatment adherence, fostering patient independence, and minimizing physical discomfort.
The Lung Flute([R]) offers benefits to patients over the current market leading oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device and has the potential to make a lasting positive impact on the quality of life of millions of COPD sufferers.
Treatment/management practices reviewed include chest physiotherapy (percussion, postural drainage, and vibration), manually assisted cough, forced expiratory technique (huffing), autogenic drainage, respiratory muscle training, positive expiratory pressure, devices designed to oscillate gas in the airway and mechanical cough assistive devices.
