Chest
Clinical Investigations: Cystic FibrosisComparison of the Flutter Device to Standard Chest Physiotherapy in Hospitalized Patients With Cystic Fibrosis: A Pilot Study
Section snippets
The Device
The flutter (Scandipharm; Birmingham, AL) is Food and Drug Administration approved for airway clearance. It is a pipe-like device with a mouthpiece, an oscillating stainless steel ball, and a perforated cover. Air flows through the device from the mouthpiece through the perforated cover causing oscillation of the steel ball with production of rhythmic variations in positive expiratory pressure of about 10 to 25 cm H2O. Proposed mechanisms of effect include shearing of mucus from airway wall by
RESULTS
Baseline demographics, PFT data, mean length of hospitalization, and mean number of respiratory treatments received during the hospitalization did not differ significantly between the flutter and CPT groups (Table 2). Average percent change in clinical score (CS) and PFT results from baseline (admission) to discharge showed significant improvements with either CPT or flutter in all PFT parameters studied except TLC for flutter and TLC and FEV1/FVC for CPT (Table 3). Average percent change from
DISCUSSION
Standard, manual chest percussion has been the “gold standard” for airway clearance in CF patients for many decades. This therapy has been shown to be effective but requires a helper to administer, is time consuming, and is potentially traumatic.18 Compliance with this important therapy is not likely, especially in the case of the independent functioning older CF patient.19, 20 Additionally, this type of therapy is labor intensive in the hospital setting requiring one-on-one attendance by
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the invaluable help of the Respiratory Care Department of Bronson Methodist Hospital, Dr. Michael Stoline, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Western Michigan University, Chrysanthe Fooy, RN, MSN, MSU/KCMS, Research Nurse, and our dedicated CF patients and families.
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Cited by (0)
Supported by the MSU/KCMS CF Center Grant
Presented in part at the 10th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Orlando, FL, October 24–27, 1996