Thoracoabdominal motion during chest physiotherapy in patients affected by chronic obstructive lung disease

In 11 patients suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease, thoracoabdominal movements were monitored with magnetometers during various breathing manoeuvres directed by the chest physiotherapist. The signals derived from the magnetometers and the mouth flow were analysed in order to pick up paradoxical movements of one or the other compartment of the chest wall. In contrast to what was observed during spontaneous breathing, especially abdominodiaphragmatic breathing induced in most of the subjects paradoxical movements. The practical importance of accurate monitoring of thoracoabdominal motion during chest physiotherapy is stressed.