Synergistic Effect of Vibratory Sputum Drainage with Nutritional Intervention in Patients with Bronchiectasis

Background: Cleaning the airway clear of mucus through clearance techniques seems essential for bronchiectasis treatment. The vibratory sputum drainage combined with nutritional intervention in patients with bronchiectasis may have profound clinical implications. Hence, we conducted a controlled clinical study of the nutritional condition and pulmonary function.Methods: A total of 104 patients with bronchiectasis were recruited from August 2017 to October 2019 and were randomly divided into a control group (n = 52) and an observation group (n = 52). The patients in the control group were given routine nursing, while those in the observation group were given vibratory sputum drainage combined with nutritional intervention. A comparison in the volume of sputum drained per day, post-drainage blood oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, nutritional condition, pulmonary function, and the level of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) and TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) was conducted between the two groups.Results: After one month of treatment, there was a significant improvement in the volume of sputum drained per day, postdrainage blood oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC). The MMP and TNF-alpha were lowered in the observation compared to the control group (p < 0.05). After six months of treatment, the levels of prealbumin (PA), albumin (ALB), and body weight of the observation group were improved significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Vibratory sputum drainage combined with nutritional intervention significantly increases the volume of sputum drained per day, improves post-drainage blood oxygen saturation, reduces the respiratory rate and the level of MMP and TNF-alpha and improves the nutritional condition and pulmonary function of patients.