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Related Experiment Videos

Vibration and its effect on the respiratory system.

Bredge McCarren1, Jennifer A Alison, Robert D Herbert

  • 1Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney. B.McCarren@fhs.usyd.adu.au

The Australian Journal of Physiotherapy
|March 7, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Chest wall vibration is a manual technique for pulmonary secretion removal. This study found vibration yields lower expiratory flow rates compared to cough or huff maneuvers.

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Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Physiology
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Background:

  • Vibration is a manual technique used to aid pulmonary secretion removal.
  • The mechanical effects and impact of vibration on the respiratory system are not well understood.

Observation:

  • This study quantified the mechanical consequences of chest wall vibration and its effects on expiratory flow rates and volumes in a healthy adult.
  • Sixteen physiotherapists applied vibration and other interventions (chest wall compression, oscillation, cough, huff, relaxed expiration, tidal breathing, sham) in a randomized order.

Findings:

  • Vibration was applied with a mean resultant force of 74.4 N at a frequency of 5.5 Hz, causing a mean chest wall circumference change of 0.8 cm.
  • Peak expiratory flow rates with vibration (0.97 l/s) were significantly lower than with cough or huff from high lung volume.

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  • Vibration resulted in higher expiratory flow rates than chest wall compression, chest wall oscillation, relaxed expiration, sham treatment, or tidal breathing.

    • Implications:

    • The findings provide objective data on the mechanical effects of chest wall vibration.
    • Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing airway clearance techniques in clinical practice.
    • Further research is needed to explore the efficacy of vibration in patient populations with secretion difficulties.