Effects of respiratory care such as chest physiotherapy for patients with pneumonia

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have suggested that early mobilization is effective for respiratory infections such as pneumonia. However, respiratory care such as chest physiotherapy for airway clearance may also be important during the inflammatory phase of pneumonia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chest physiotherapy in this phase of pneumonia. Participants and Methods: The study was performed from April 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018. The subjects were 27 patients (51.9% male; mean age 86.3±7.4 years) who were diagnosed with pneumonia and received intervention and early rehabilitation at Okatani Hospital, Nara, Japan. The subjects were randomly classified into respiratory care (RC, n=13) and early mobilization (EM, n=14) groups. Patients in the RC group mainly received respiratory care such as chest physiotherapy, whereas those in the EM group did not receive respiratory care, but underwent early mobilization and active exercise therapy, such as sitting, standing, and walking. Basic characteristics (sex, age, height, weight, body mass index), inflammatory status, disease severity, ADL independence level, implementation rate of suction / oxygen therapy during hospitalization, and swallowing function were examined in the two groups. Result: There was no significant difference between the RC and EM groups in any items. The numbers of suctions (hospitalization → discharge) was 3 → 0 persons in the RC group, and 4 → 2 persons in the EM group, with a tendency for a higher improvement rate in the RC group (100% vs. 50%, p = 0.147). Conclusions: Outcomes in patients with pneumonia were similar in those treated with respiratory care compared with those who received early mobilization.