Airway clearance therapy

Airway Clearance Therapy

File:Airway Clearance Therapy.jpg

A healthcare professional performing Airway Clearance Therapy on a patient

Airway Clearance Therapy (ACT), also known as chest physiotherapy, is a group of physiotherapy techniques that assist in clearing the airways of patients with respiratory disorders. These techniques are designed to aid in the removal of excess mucus from the lungs, improving ventilation and overall lung function.

Overview

Airway Clearance Therapy is often used in the treatment of conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bronchiectasis, and other respiratory disorders that result in excessive mucus production. The therapy involves a combination of physical techniques and devices to help loosen and remove mucus from the lungs.

Techniques

There are several techniques used in Airway Clearance Therapy, including:

• Postural Drainage: This involves positioning the patient in a way that uses gravity to assist in the removal of mucus from the lungs.

• Percussion and Vibration: These techniques involve the use of hands or devices to create vibrations on the chest wall, helping to loosen mucus.

• Breathing Exercises: These exercises, such as Controlled Coughing and Huffing, are designed to help move mucus towards the larger airways, making it easier to expel.

• High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO): This technique uses a device to create rapid changes in air pressure, helping to loosen and remove mucus.

Devices

Several devices are used in Airway Clearance Therapy, including:

• Chest Percussor: A device used to apply percussion to the chest wall.

• Flutter Valve: A handheld device that uses oscillating positive expiratory pressure to help loosen mucus.

• Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV): A device that delivers short bursts of air into the lungs, helping to loosen mucus.

Benefits and Risks

Airway Clearance Therapy can significantly improve the quality of life for patients with respiratory disorders. It can help to reduce the frequency of respiratory infections, improve lung function, and increase exercise tolerance. However, like all therapies, it carries some risks. These may include discomfort during treatment, increased coughing, and, in rare cases, lung damage.

See Also

• Respiratory Therapy
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation