Airway clearance physiotherapy improves quality of life in people with bronchiectasis.

Question: Does regular airway clearance using an oscillating positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device improve quality of life, sputum volume, respiratory function, and exercise capacity in people with bronchiectasis? Design: Randomised, crossover, controlled trial with 3-month intervention periods separated by a 1-month washout period. Setting: Acute teaching hospital in Scotland. Participants: 20 adults with radiologically diagnosed bronchiectasis and chronic sputum expectoration, who were not performing regular physiotherapy for airway clearance. Smoking, asthma, emphysema, and cystic fibrosis were exclusion criteria. Interventions: While in the intervention arm, participants performed 20–30 minutes of airway clearance twice daily. Each session consisted of three cycles of 10 breaths through an oscillating positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device called the Acapella, followed by the forced expiratory technique and coughing. Each participant’s technique was reviewed by a physiotherapist monthly during the intervention arm. During the control arm, the device was retained by the investigators and participants performed no physiotherapy for airway clearance. Throughout the study, both groups received all other standard management Airway clearance physiotherapy improves quality of life in people with bronchiectasis