Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: November | Volume: 7 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 132-138
Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) Therapy in Patients with Diseases of the Pleura
Dr. Humaira Ansari1, Dr. Shreya Dhake2, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed3
1Physiotherapist, Deccan Education Society’s Brijlal Jindal College of Physiotherapy, Pune
2Associate Professor, Deccan Education Society’s Brijlal Jindal College of Physiotherapy, Fergusson College Campus, Pune 411004
3Graduate Assistant and PhD Scholar, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida
Corresponding Author: Dr. Humaira Ansari
ABSTRACT
Background: Diseases of the pleura such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax, hemothorax or hydropneumothorax are characterized by collection of air or fluid in the pleural space and are managed by draining the pleural space using an intercostal drain. Physiotherapeutic interventions such as breathing exercises and postural drainage are used to reduce work of breathing and improve ventilation. However, there is no established evidence on the effects of positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy in such patients.
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) therapy in patients with an intercostal drainage tube.
Materials and Methods: A quasi experimental pre-test and post-test design was used for the study. Thirty subjects were selected and randomly divided into two groups of fifteen subjects each. One group was given conventional breathing exercises and the other group was given conventional therapy along with bottle PEP therapy twice a day for 5 days continuous days. Chest expansion at 2nd, 4th and 6th intercostal space, dyspnoea at rest and on activity, SPO2 i.e. oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were assessed prior to and after intervention.
Results: Post PEP therapy there was improvement in respiratory rate, chest expansion at 2nd& 4th intercostal space, oxygen saturation, dyspnoea at rest and on activity. The mean difference of these parameters was statistically significant (p value<0.05).
Conclusions: Positive Expiratory Pressure therapy along with conventional therapy is more effective than only conventional therapy on respiratory parameters in patients with intercostal drain.
Key words: Breathing exercises, Bottle Positive Expiratory Pressure, Conventional therapy, Intercostal drain, Physiotherapy