Effect of steam inhalation on mucociliary activity in patients of chronic pulmonary disease.

Increased mucociliary activity has been observed with several modalities, including inhalation which seems to achieve faster drug delivery. In patients of chronic lung disease, the mucociliary activity is known to be impaired. The effect of steam inhalation on mucociliary transport time was studied in these patients. It was found that steam inhalation improved mucociliary activity significantly (p < 0.001) in both groups receiving either only bronchodilators, or bronchodilators as well as steroids.