Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
The efficacy of conventional chest physiotherapy in managing acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure
Mayura Deshmukh1, Janvi Chandrasen Vishwakarma2, Neha Chitale3
1Dr DY Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract:
A man in his 60s presented with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure secondary to post-COVID-19 fibrotic pneumonia, requiring 3 L/min oxygen therapy (peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) 75%), peripheral cyanosis, modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale score 4 and exertional desaturation. An 8-week physiotherapy protocol progressed from diaphragmatic breathing/gravity-assisted postures (days 1-3) through segmental percussion/proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (day 4 to week 2), short-lever/long-lever upper limb exercises (weeks 3-4), to trunk mobility/ambulation (weeks 5-8). Outcomes included oxygen weaning to 0.5 L/min, SpO2 94% on room air, Borg score 1 and 50 m unsupported ambulation. The interventions enhanced secretion clearance, alveolar recruitment and ventilation-perfusion matching via titration matched to clinical stability (SpO2 ≥90% phase thresholds). This demonstrates the role of structured physiotherapy in resource-limited settings for post-COVID-19 recovery.
Related Concept Videos
Chest Physiotherapy
Purpose
CPT is primarily used for patients with excessive bronchial secretions who have difficulty clearing...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
