Effect of chest wall vibrations on pulmonary function in chronic bronchitis.

Manual chest wall vibration is one physiotherapeutic technique frequently employed in the management of respiratory disease. A clinical study was undertaken to examine the effects of manual chest wall vibrations on pulmonary function and arterial oxygen saturation in patients with chronic bronchitis. Twelve patients participated in a three-day experimental design where the factors of three different days and three different treatments were randomized and balanced. On one day, deep-breathing exercises were given; on another, deep-breathing exercises with vibrations; and on the remaining day, no treatment was given. Lung volumes were measured before and after each maneuver, and arterial oxygen saturation was monitored continuously. There was a significant decrease in the expiratory reserve volume (ERV) immediately following the deep-breathing exercises alone, which remained constant after the 15-minute rest period (p = 0.032). The remaining outcome parameters do not appear to be significantly affected. Chest wall vibrations do not decrease the ERV in patients with chronic bronchitis.