Can exercise replace airway clearance techniques in cystic fibrosis? A survey of patients and healthcare professionals

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterised by a failure of mucociliary clearance and accumulation of viscid secretions in the airway, leading to recurrent infection. To mitigate this process, CF treatment guidelines recommend the regular use of an airway clearance technique (ACT), with exercise as an adjunct [1]. In people with CF (pwCF), exercise such as running or cycling, increases ease of sputum expectoration, minute ventilation and respiratory flow [2]. A comparison of one ACT with treadmill exercise showed that these approaches performed similarly over a single session [3].

Source: Journal of Cystic Fibrosis - November 14, 2019 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: N.J. Rowbotham, S.J. Smith, G. Davies, T. Daniels, Z.C. Elliott, K. Gathercole, O.C. Rayner, A.R. Smyth Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research