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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
13:27
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment as a Useful Adjunctive Tool for Pneumonia
Published on: May 6, 2014
Chest physiotherapy for pneumonia in adults
Ming Yang1, Yan Yuping, Xiangli Yin
1Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610041.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|February 19, 2010
Summary
Chest physiotherapy does not improve mortality or cure rates in adults with pneumonia. Some techniques may reduce hospital stay, but evidence is limited for routine use.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Critical Care
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Chest physiotherapy is a common adjunctive treatment for adult pneumonia, despite inconsistent evidence.
- This review evaluates its effectiveness and safety in this patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of chest physiotherapy as an adjunctive treatment for pneumonia in adults.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive search of multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CBM, NRR, PEDro) was conducted.
- Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 434 participants were included.
- Data were extracted and analyzed using meta-analysis, focusing on mortality, cure rates, and hospital stay duration.
Main Results:
- No significant improvement in mortality or cure rates was observed for any chest physiotherapy technique compared to no physiotherapy or placebo.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment and positive expiratory pressure showed a reduction in hospital stay duration.
- Positive expiratory pressure also reduced fever duration, while osteopathic manipulative treatment decreased intravenous and total antibiotic treatment duration.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence suggests that chest physiotherapy may not be recommended as a routine adjunctive treatment for adult pneumonia.
- Further research is needed, particularly for techniques like osteopathic manipulative treatment, due to study limitations.
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Purpose
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Purpose
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Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
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Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
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Clinical Manifestations:
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Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History: