Active cycle of breathing technique and chest physiotherapy on the effectiveness of airway clearance

Ciclo activo de la técnica respiratoria y la fisioterapia torácica sobre la eficacia de la limpieza de las vías respiratorias

Abstract

Introduction: Ineffective airway clearance begins with the accumulation of secretions in the respiratory tract. This is one of the main causes of respiratory disorders such as shortness of breath, rhonchi, and wheezing. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effect of combining Active Breathing Cycle Technique (ACBT) and chest physiotherapy on the ineffectiveness of airway clearance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Methods: This study design was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and a control group. This design involved two groups: the intervention group with ACBT and chest physiotherapy, and the control group. Data collection was carried out using direct observation sheets and medical records. Kruskal-Wallis test for overall comparison and the Mann-Whitney U test for pairwise comparisons. The p-value was 0.0001, indicating a difference in airway clearance scores between the intervention and control groups in the delta/change data.