Effectiveness of Respiratory Therapy in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Patients received conventional treatment.

Respiratory Therapy consists of postural drainage, positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and vibropercussion (it is a postural drainage method, which uses chest clapping with a flexible wrist and cupped hands or a mechanical vibrator to loosen and mobilize retained secretions that can then be expectorated or drained). Postural drainage is an airways clearance technique in which patient's body is positioned so that the trachea is inclined downward and below the affected chest area. The PEP consists of expiratory cycles through a system generating a positive pressure of 10-20 cc (cubic centimeter) water. Vibropercussion is applied by the use of a mechanical system following rib movement during expiration to enhance clearance of secretions. Intervention group received 30-minute-sessions twice a day, 7 days per week, during hospitalization period.