[The effect of rehabilitation procedures on pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis]

Modern treatment of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis consists of a parallel and simultaneous carrying out of medicinal treatment and appropriate rehabilitation. The authors studied the effect of rehabilitation on the pulmonary function in 31 patients (rehabilitation group A-1) with chronic obstructive bronchitis within three weeks (position drainage on the oscillation table and vibro-message for 15-30 min. after aerosol-therapy, and respiratory diaphragmatic exercises). The control group was composed of 30 patients (medical group A-2) with chronic obstructive bronchitis treated with medicaments only. On the basis of the results before and after the treatment, the authors established that only group A-1 patients showed, at the end of treatment, a statistically greater forsed expiratory volume in the first second, reduced thoracic gas volume, reduced specific resistance and increased lung conduction in airways.