Physiotherapy and Guillain-Barre syndrome

Abstract

Objective
To  examine the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy for patients admitted  to hospital with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary  disease (COPD).

Data source
CINAHL,  MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Expanded Academic Index, Clinical Evidence,  PEDro, Pubmed, Web of Knowledge and Proquest were searched from the  earliest available time to September 2007, using the key elements of  COPD, acute exacerbation and chest physiotherapy interventions.

Review methods
To  be included, trials had to investigate patients during admission to  hospital with an acute exacerbation of COPD, and to evaluate at least  one physiotherapy intervention. Two reviewers independently applied the  inclusion criteria, and assessed trial quality using the PEDro scale.  Results were expressed as standardised mean differences and analysed  qualitatively with a best-evidence synthesis.

Results
Thirteen  trials were identified. There was moderate evidence that intermittent  positive pressure ventilation and positive expiratory pressure were  effective in improving sputum expectoration. In addition, there was  moderate evidence that walking programmes led to benefits in arterial  blood gases, lung function, dyspnoea and quality of life. No evidence  was found supporting the use of any other chest physiotherapy techniques  to change lung function, arterial blood gases, perceived level of  dyspnoea or quality of life.

Conclusions
Chest  physiotherapy techniques such as intermittent positive pressure  ventilation and positive expiratory pressure may benefit patients with  COPD requiring assistance with sputum clearance, while walking  programmes may have wider benefits for patients admitted with an  exacerbation of COPD. Chest physiotherapy techniques other than  percussion are safe for administration to this patient population.

Citation

Physiotherapy and Guillain-Barre syndrome: results of a national survey.

Ian Davidson, Charloote Wilson, Timothy Walton, Shirley Brissenden

Physiotherapy September 2009 (Vol 95 Issue 3, Pages 157-163)

 

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