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Thoracic excursion measurement in children with cystic fibrosis

J W H Custers1, H G M Arets, R H H Engelbert

  • 1Department of Paediatric Physiotherapy and Paediatric Exercise Physiology, University Medical Centre/Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Utrecht, Room KB 02.056.0, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.custers@umcutrecht.nl

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official Journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society
|May 26, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Thoracic excursion measurement (TEM) is a reliable physiotherapy tool for children with cystic fibrosis (CF). TEM shows moderate correlation with key pulmonary function indicators, aiding CF patient assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Physiotherapy Assessment
  • Pulmonary Function Testing

Background:

  • Maximal ventilation assessment in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) includes measuring thoracic excursion (TEM).
  • TEM is a component of standard physiotherapy evaluations for pediatric CF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the reliability of thoracic excursion measurement (TEM) in children.
  • To investigate the relationship between TEM and pulmonary function parameters in pediatric CF patients.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty children with CF participated in intra-observer and inter-observer reliability studies for TEM.
  • TEM was measured using a tape measure, with reliability assessed via typical error, limits of agreement, and correlation coefficients.
  • Cross-sectional data from annual check-ups were analyzed to correlate TEM with pulmonary function.

Main Results:

  • High intra-observer reliability (ICC=0.95) and good inter-observer reliability (ICC=0.85) were found for TEM.
  • TEM demonstrated significant correlations with height, FVC, FEV1, TLC, and an inverse correlation with RV%TLC.
  • Specific reliability metrics included typical error of 0.31 cm (intra-observer) and 0.56 cm (inter-observer).

Conclusions:

  • Thoracic excursion measurement (TEM) is confirmed as a reliable assessment tool in pediatric CF.
  • TEM exhibits a significant, albeit moderate, correlation with key pulmonary function measures, supporting its clinical utility.
Abstract

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