Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of high-frequency chest wall oscillation in the treatment of an exacerbation of chronic pyo- obstructive bronchitis in adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Subjects and methods: A simple open-label comparative study enrolled 31 patients with CF. C-reactive protein (CRP), spirometric indicators (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow), hemoglobin oxygen saturation, anthropometric data, six-minute walk test, and dyspnea rating by the MRC scale were assessed before treatment and on the last day of hospitalization. All the patients received conventional drug therapy; the study group patients (n=15) had the latter in combination with vibration-compression therapy for 15 minutes twice daily at a vibration frequency of 9-12 Hz and at an amplitude of 6-9 bars; the treatment cycle lasted 12-14 days.
Results: Both groups showed significant changes in spirometric and pulsometric readings, 6-minute walk test results, and MRC score. Body mass index increased and CRP decreased in the majority of patients in both groups. There were significant group differences in functional and anthropometric changes: 10.0 ± 4.6 and 6.9 ± 3.6% for FEV1 (p = 0.04) and 9.5 ± 4.8 and 5.9 ± 3.8% for FVC (p = 0.03) in the study and control groups, respectively.
Conclusion: Incorporation of vibration-compression therapy (Vest vibro drainage) into the combination treatment of adult patients with CF results in significantly improved bronchial patency and more effective abolishment of an exacerbation.