Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure Therapy Versus Autogenic Drainage in Patients With COPD

Overview

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition that causes breathing difficulty, cough, and sputum production. Airway clearance techniques are commonly used to help reduce symptoms and improve breathing in patients with COPD. This study compared two airway clearance methods-oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) therapy and autogenic drainage-to determine which method is more effective in improving lung function, sputum clearance, shortness of breath, and quality of life in patients with COPD. Participants were divided into two groups and received either OPEP therapy or autogenic drainage for four weeks. Outcomes were measured at the beginning of the study and again after completion of the intervention. The findings of this study aim to support evidence-based physiotherapy management for patients with COPD.

This study was a comparative interventional clinical trial conducted to evaluate the effects of oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy versus autogenic drainage in patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethics review committee prior to study initiation, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Eligible participants with stable COPD were enrolled and allocated into two intervention groups. Baseline assessments were performed prior to the initiation of treatment. Participants in the first group received oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy as part of their airway clearance regimen, while participants in the second group were treated using autogenic drainage techniques. Both interventions were administered over a four-week period. Outcome measures were assessed at two time points: baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the four-week intervention period. Pulmonary function was evaluated using spirometry. Sputum clearance was assessed using the Breathlessness Cough Sputum Scale (BCSS). Dyspnea was measured using the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and quality of life was assessed using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). The results of this study aim to compare the effectiveness of the two airway clearance techniques and provide evidence to guide clinical decision-making in the physiotherapy management of patients with COPD.