The role of thoracic expansion exercises during the active cycle of breathing techniques

Abstract

Fifteen adult cystic fibrosis patients completed a randomised two-period, two-treatment crossover study to investigate whether it is necessary to perform thoracic expansion exercises during the active cycle of breathing techniques (ACBT) with postural drainage. Treatment A comprised the ACBT with postural drainage, incorporating thoracic expansion exercises. Treatment B was as described for treatment A with the exclusion of the thoracic expansion exercises. During treatment By the thoracic expansion exercises were replaced with an equivalent period of relaxed breathing. No significant differences were found between treatments A and B for spirometry, sputum weight or oxygen saturation measured up to 30 min post-treatment. This suggests that, if desired, thoracic expansion exercises can be omitted from the ACBT with postural drainage and be replaced with relaxed breathing with no obvious loss of effect or detrimental sequelae in the short term.