Authors' recommendations: There is low quality evidence that certain airway clearance techniques have beneficial impacts on some outcomes, as described below: Airway clearance techniques that apply a positive pressure to the airways, such as intrapulmonary percussive ventilation and positive expiratory pressure (PEP), reduce the need for, and duration of, ventilation. Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation reduces the hospital length of stay in COPD patients with acute exacerbations of COPD and mild respiratory acidosis. Some airway clearance techniques may increase sputum expectoration, but the results of the supporting studies may be inaccurate given the method of measurement used. Given the low quality of evidence, further research may change the estimate of effect. Early mobilization programs: One systematic review identified 1 small RCT that assessed the effectiveness of walking programs compared to standard care. Although the study found statistically significant improvements for a number of patient outcomes, including exercise capacity and lung function for the walking program compared to standard care, the quality of evidence is poor and not generalizable to the Ontario context. However, the positive outcomes observed indicate that this may be a good area for future high-quality research.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: http://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/Documents/eds/rapid-reviews/physiotherapy-copd-130111-en.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Health Quality Ontario

Contact Address: Evidence Development and Standards, Health Quality Ontario, 130 Bloor Street West, 10th floor, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5S 1N5

Contact Name: EDSinfo@hqontario.ca

Contact Email: OH-HQO_hta-reg@ontariohealth.ca

Copyright: Health Quality Ontario