The effect of lung flute training on functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is characterized by increased airways mucus secretions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of lung flute training on AECOPD. Subjects: Sixty men patients aged from 40-60 years old having AECOPD were included from the Chest department at El Sahel Teaching hospital. Patients were assigned into two equal groups in number. Group (A) received Lung Flute training in addition to traditional chest physiotherapy including (pursed lip breathing, percussion,vibration, coughing & postural drainage) while group (B) received traditional chest physiotherapy only 3sessions per week for eight weeks. The data concerned with the ventilatory functions included forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1),forced expiratory volume in sixth second (FEV6), the ratio between forced expiratory volume in one second to forced expiratory volume in sixth second (FEV1/FEV6) and maximum minute ventilation (MMV) were measured at the baseline of training and after training. Six minute walk test and COPD assessment test (CAT) were also calculated. Results: The study group which used the lung flute device showed a statistical significant increase in FEV6, FEV1, MMV and 6MWT and there was no statistical significant difference between the value of difference of FEV1/FEV6 and CAT in the two groups. It was concluded that lung flute training provided an adequate physiotherapy method to the patients with AECOPD, helped in sputum expectoration and improvement of ventilatory functions, enhances patients' compliance and independence.