Assessment of airway clearance techniques in adults with bronchiectasis

Patients with bronchiectasis have symptoms of persistent cough and excess sputum production as a result of permanently damaged airways. Respiratory physiotherapy, in particular airway clearance techniques (ACTs), form the cornerstone in the management of bronchiectasis. However, there is a lack of valid and reliable clinimetric outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of various ACTs. This study aims to examine the feasibility of electrical impedance tomography in assessing the short-term effects of airway clearance in patients with bronchiectasis.

Category
Respiratory, Infectious Disease and Oncology
Trial status
Not yet recruiting
Trial phase
Other
Other
Registry listing
ACTRN12624000436572
ERM Project ID
HREC/MML/103953 (V2)

Trial contact details

Contact person
Judy Hough
Email
judith.hough@acu.edu.au
Phone
0422 404 369

What you need to know

Inclusion criteria

Has a diagnosis of bronchiectasis
Productive of secretions that require routine airway clearance
Performs ACTs regularly at home
Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Contraindicated for ACTs, including chest trauma, facial trauma or facial burns, bleeding disorder, uncontrolled bronchospasm, and current haemoptysis.
Contraindicated for EIT measurements, including pacemaker, automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and implantable pumps.
Inability to follow instructions.
Patients less than 18 years of age.