Airway Clearance with Expiratory Flow Accelerator Technology: Effectiveness of the "Free Aspire" Device in Patients with Severe COPD

Giorgia Patrizio, Michele D'Andria, Francesco D'Abrosca, Antonella Cabiaglia, Fabio Tanzi, Giancarlo Garuti, Antonello Nicolini, Giorgia Patrizio, Michele D'Andria, Francesco D'Abrosca, Antonella Cabiaglia, Fabio Tanzi, Giancarlo Garuti, Antonello Nicolini

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a higher risk of pulmonary infections. This risk not only negatively affects patients' quality of life but also increases social and health costs. Hence, there is a need for an effective rehabilitative treatment including airway clearance. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new tool for bronchial clearance based on expiratory flow accelerator (EFA) technology compared with positive expiratory pressure (PEP) treatment.

Materials and methods: Twenty stable patients with COPD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 3-4 stage, were enrolled and allocated to treatment with EFA or Bubble-PEP (BP) for 20 days during a pulmonary rehabilitation program. At baseline and the end of treatment, the following parameters were measured: arterial blood gases (ABG); respiratory function, including peak cough expiratory flow (PCEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure exercise capacity using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), dyspnea using the Medical Research Council scale, and quality of life using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire.

Results: Expiratory flow accelerator showed a significant pre- and post-improvement in ABG and a significantly greater improvement than BP in PCEF, MIP, and 6MWT post-treatment.

Conclusion: Expiratory flow accelerator is a valid device compared with BP as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of patients with severe COPD.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Efa device (it was used with the permission of MPR company)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Study flow chart COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; PEP: positive expiratory pressure
Figure 3. a–c
Figure 3. a–c
Results for primary outcomes PCEF: peak cough expiratory flow; PaO2: arterial partial pressure of oxygen; PaCO2: arterial pressure of carbon dioxide; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s
Figure 4. a–c
Figure 4. a–c
Results for secondary outcomes PEP: positive expiratory pressure; MIP: maximal inspiratory pressure; MEP: maximal expiratory pressure; 6MWT: 6-minute walk test

Source: PubMed

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