Restoration of lung volume using the Flutter VRP1 or breathing exercise

A method of chest wall restriction imposed for 30 minutes demonstrated a mean (SD) decrease of 42 (14) per cent in forced vital capacity (FVC) during restrictor application. Following the application of chest wall restriction, 30 healthy subjects then underwent a 15 minute treatment with either Flutter VRP1 (Flutter) or breathing exercise with end-inspiratory hold (BE) after chest wall restriction release. Both Flutter and BE applied for 15 minutes immediately restored FVC to pre-restriction values. Tidal breathing control subjects demonstrated a clinically small but statistically significant decrease in FVC of 3 per cent (p<0.001). Visual analogue assessment of each treatment technique showed BE to be the subject- preferred technique for lung volume restoration. This study shows that in normal subjects, Flutter and BE are equally effective in restoring FVC and superior to tidal breathing.