Effectiveness of acapella, flutter and active cycle of breathing technique on lung function in COPD patients: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Acapella is responsible for increasing the efficiency to remove the secretions, the Flutter helps airway clearance by vibrating the airways to loosen mucous and Active cycle of breathing technique is useful for improving lung function. Methodology: 50 subjects of age group between 35-80 years, were screened according to GOLD criteria having MILD, MODERATE and SEVERE CRITERIA, out of which 40 patients were under inclusion criteria. 3 days protocol was given. Three groups for treatments i.e GROUP A, B and C; ACBT, FLUTTER and Acapella respectively were divided. Pre PFT was done on the 1st day and post PFT was on 3rd day. The pre and post values were compared. Result: The comparison was done between three groups and within the groups the p-value for FEV1 for (group A) p= 0.000, (group B) p=0.004 and (group C) p=0.002; for FVC (group A) p=0.000, (group B) p=0.005 and(group C) p=0.004 ; for FEV1/FVC (group A) p=0.98, (group B) p=0.12 and (group C)p=0.38; for PEFR (group A) p=0.025, (group B) p=0.007 and (group C) p=0.025 and for MVC/FEF25-75% (group A) p=0.02, (group B) p=0.04 and (group C) p= 0.24 and for between the group, the p-value for FEV1 is 0.93 for the three groups, for FVC is 0.49, for FEV1/FVC is 0.78, for PEFR is 0.71 and for MEFR or FEF25-75% is 0.96. Therefore, it was not statistically significant among the group. Conclusion: Thus, the conclusion of the study is that the ACBT, flutter and ACPELLA had a positive effect for the condition among their respective group. Between the groups, there was no treatment more effective than the other.