Immediate Effect of the Autogenic Drainage over the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique in Airway Clearance in Subjects with Chronic Bronchitis- A Quasi Experimental Study

• Main Author: Jincy Samuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2019-11-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
• Subjects: chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders; dyspnea; peak expiratory flow rate; respiratory therapy
• Online Access: https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/13263/42284_CE[Ra1]_F(KM)_PF1(AG_SHU)_PN(SL).pdf

Introduction: Chronic Bronchitis (CB) is an obstructive pulmonary disease in which there is obstruction in airways due to excessive mucous secretions. Chest physiotherapy is effective in clearing secretions from the lung of the patients with copious secretions. This includes some newer techniques like Autogenic Drainage (AD) and Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) which is effective as well as have less deleterious effect when compared to conventional physiotherapy management. Aim: To know the effectiveness of AD over ACBT in airway clearance in CB. Materials and Methods: The study was a quasi experimental study which included 30 subjects in the study. They were equally divided into two groups. One group received AD technique for 30 minutes and other received ACBT for 30 minutes. The outcome measures were compared and evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for breathlessness, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and expectorated sputum volume to compare effect on dyspnea and airway clearance. VAS for breathlessness, PEFR and expectorated sputum volume was measured before the session and after 30 minutes following the session. Paired t-test, Wilcoxon’s signed rank test and Mann-Whitney U test was done using SPSS software to compare the outcome measures. Results: Paired t-test showed that there is a significant difference in pre and post-PEFR and VAS for breathlessness in both the groups. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test also showed significant difference in pre and post-sputum volume in both groups. However, Mann Whitney test shows that there is no significant difference between the groups for PEFR (p=0.348), VAS for breathlessness (p=0.910) and sputum volume (p=0.123). Conclusion: The study showed that there was no significant difference in effect of AD technique over ACBT on mucus clearance and level of dyspnea. Both the airway clearance techniques can be used effectively in CB based on patient and therapist preference.