Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the intervention effects of active cycle of breathing techniques (ACBT) on patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Seventy patients with acute exacerbation of COPD were divided into the more sputum group (n=35) and less sputum group (n=35) according to the daily sputum weight. All patients underwent the active cycle of breathing techniques (ACBT) intervention (ACBT and postural drainage) and regular intervention (standardised physiotherapy, SP). The self-paired design was adopted and random intervention sequence of two methods was determined by the sealed envelope method. Changes of the expectorated sputum, SpO2, and heart rate were observed. Results Compared to SP, the sputum weight of patients of the more sputum group intervened by ACBT was significantly increased during the intervention and 1 h after the intervention. SpO2 had no significant changes and the heart rate decreased significantly during the intervention. Compared to SP, the sputum weight of patients of the less sputum group intervened by ACBT was significantly increased during 1d. The sputum weight had no significant changes during the intervention and 1h after the intervention. SpO2 and the heart rate improved significantly during the intervention. Patients of both groups had no serious side effects after being intervened by ACBT. Conclusion The ACBT intervention can help sputum excretion and respiratory exercise in short period of time for acute exacerbation of COPD and has no obvious side effects.

Key words: active cycle of breathing techniques, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute exacerbation, sputum weight