"How can you compare the Lung Hyperinflation in mobilizing and removing excessive bronchial secretions as compared to other physiotherapy techniques like postural drainage, percussion, shaking, etc.?"

Hi sdkashif,

I think your chosen method of comparison would be somewhat dependant issues such as the main reason for comparison i.e. clinical or research etc.., on your time, fiscal resources etc. Whilst many studies will simply use sputum collection (either dry weight or volume I think) for comparison between techniques this has obvious draw backs. Perhaps a more accurate means is the use of radioaeorsol in conjunction to imaging techniques such as scintigraphy - like the kind used to research the effects of FET. This is where the participant breaths in a substance to which radioactive markers are attached, these are then tracked using the imaging equipment.

This method allows you to actually calculate the percentage of secretions movement from different lung regions, thereby not only giving you total secretions movement but also an idea of how effective techniques are in terms of regional clearance. However this is only used in research studies owing to cost, skill required to carry out the procedure and ethics - radiation exposure. Therefore a very unrealistic measure for clinical practice but good for providing strong, objective evidence to reinforce the efficacy of clinical practice. ( van der Schans CP, Postma DS, Koeter GH, Rubin BK 1999 Physiotherapy and brochial mucus transport. European Respiratory Journal. 13: 1477-1486 provide an overview/discussion of the problems inherent in measuring respiratory interventions)

Sorry for the epic response - hope it is helpful. If you would like me to send you any info please email me on [email protected]

Best wishes,

Rachie