Can exercise replace airway clearance techniques in cystic fibrosis? A survey of patients and healthcare professionals

Rowbotham, N.J.; Smith, S.J.; Davies, G.; Daniels, T.; Elliott, Z.C.; Gathercole, K.; Rayner, O.C.; Smyth, A.R.

Abstract

Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) are recommended in cystic fibrosis (CF) to prevent accumulation of secretions and lung infection. “Can exercise replace chest physiotherapy for people with CF?” is one of the CF community's top 10 research questions. We conducted an online survey of the CF community to gather data on current ACT use, recommendations, reported adherence levels and exercise strategies used. There were 488 respondents: 194 (40%) people with CF (pwCF), 141 (29%) family and 153 (31%) healthcare professionals (HCPs) (mostly physiotherapists). Only 10/285 (4%) of pwCF do no exercise at present and 163/303 (54%) already incorporate exercise into ACTs. ACTs were omitted by 128/267 (48%) of pwCF when they exercised. Nearly all (110/129, 93%) of HCPs currently recommend exercise to support ACTs. A trial replacing some or all ACTs with exercise, was supported by 80/110 (73%) of HCPs, with an additional 9/110 (8%) willing to consider in selected patients.

Citation

Rowbotham, N., Smith, S., Davies, G., Daniels, T., Elliott, Z., Gathercole, K., …Smyth, A. (2020). Can exercise replace airway clearance techniques in cystic fibrosis? A survey of patients and healthcare professionals. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 19(4), e19-e24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2019.10.026

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 29, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Nov 15, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Dec 10, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 16, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Cystic Fibrosis
• Print ISSN: 1569-1993
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-5010
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 4
• Pages: e19-e24
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2019.10.026
• Keywords: Exercise. Airway clearance techniques. Cystic fibrosis. Clinical trial. Co-production. Priority setting
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3525416
• Publisher URL: https://www.cysticfibrosisjournal.com/article/S1569-1993(19)30962-2/fulltext