Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
The respiratory secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are thick, accumulates easily causing frequent pulmonary infections. These recurrent infections lead lung damage and other pulmonary diseases. Respiratory physiotherapy is an essential part of the management of cystic fibrosis and has an important role for to clear the airways, to relieve shortness of breath and to increase chest expansion. Chest physiotherapy for CF includes individual depending techniques such as postural drainage, percussion and vibration; controlled breathing exercises such as autogenic drainage and active cycle of breathing technique; use of airway clearance devices such as flutter, positive expiratory pressure device (PEP), acapella and high frequency chest wall oscillation device (VEST). All these techniques must be integrated with exercises for poor posture and shortened accessory muscles of respiration. The aim of this article is to define physiotherapy techniques for CF and to help the physician choose convenient technique for each individual.