A Malaysian company by name Formedic Technologies SDN BHD has devised a hand held machine which is supposed to mimic the chest percussion performed by professional physiotherapist to mobilize sputum through the respiratory passage. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of this mechanical percussion device in the treatment of airway clearance with conventional chest physiotherapy carried out by qualified physiotherapists in patients suffering from bronchiectasis or Chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).
This study will compare the amount of sputum expectorated during the two procedures and not intended to look at the clinical improvement of the patient.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Conventional chest percussion will be applied for a duration of 15 minutes.
Mechanical chest percussion will be delivered by a device for 15 minutes.
Penang hospital
George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Comparing the 'wet weight' and 'dry weight' of the sputum expectorated during 20 minutes of the two procedures.
The patients will be instructed to cough out the sputum into a preweighed container during the 15 minutes of the procedure(Manual or mechanical percussion)and 5 minutes after the procedure.Container will be weighed to get the wet weight of the sputum then will be dried in a laboratory oven at 60degree c for 48 hours and weighed again to get the dry weight of the sputum
Time frame: 6 days
Change in FEV1 and FVC before and after the two methods of therapy
Any changes in the lung function will be measured as - FEV1 (%predicted) and FVC (%predicted)
Time frame: 15 minutes after completion of the procedure compared to baseline
Changes in pulse, blood pressure and respiratory rate
Monitoring of Pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, skin colour and patients reaction to treatment.
Time frame: 15 minutes after completion of treatment compared to baseline
Patient preference
Patients will be participating in the study for 6 days. On the 6th day after completion of treatment they will be required to answer a simple questionnaire to find out if they prefer one procedure over the other and why.
Time frame: After completing 6 days of participation in the study
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.