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Updated: May 13, 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, Yuping Yan, Xiangli Yin
1Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|March 2, 2013
Summary
Chest physiotherapy does not improve mortality or cure rates in adults with pneumonia. Some techniques may shorten hospital stays, but evidence is limited, suggesting it may not be a routine treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Chest physiotherapy is frequently used for adult pneumonia despite inconsistent evidence.
- This review examines the efficacy and safety of various chest physiotherapy techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of chest physiotherapy as an adjunctive treatment for pneumonia in adults.
- To synthesize findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on chest physiotherapy for pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL, CBM) up to November 2012.
- Inclusion of RCTs comparing chest physiotherapy interventions against no physiotherapy or placebo.
- Meta-analysis of primary outcomes: mortality and cure rate, using risk ratios and mean differences.
Main Results:
- No significant improvement in mortality or cure rates was observed for any chest physiotherapy compared to control.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment and positive expiratory pressure showed potential to reduce hospital stay duration.
- Positive expiratory pressure reduced fever duration, while osteopathic manipulative treatment reduced intravenous and total antibiotic duration.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support routine use of chest physiotherapy for adult pneumonia.
- Limited evidence suggests some specific techniques may offer benefits in reducing hospital stay and antibiotic use.
- Further research is needed, considering limitations such as small study sizes and awaiting classification of some studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chest Physiotherapy
Chest Physiotherapy (CPT) is a therapeutic technique used in respiratory care to improve ventilation, clear bronchial secretions, and enhance the efficiency of respiratory muscles. This therapy includes three primary procedures: postural drainage, percussion, and vibration. It can be performed on spontaneously breathing patients and those who are intubated and mechanically ventilated.
Purpose
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Purpose
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The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
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.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
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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Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
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Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
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01:26Flail Chest-II
Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History: