Effects of a respiratory physiotherapy session in patients with LRTI: a pre/post-test study

Introduction The role of respiratory physiotherapy (RP) in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) has been questioned. However, studies have focused on hospitalised patients, and the presence/absence of an underlying disease has been neglected. Objectives To assess the effects of a RP session in community patients with LRTI and to explore the differences between patients with pneumonia (restrictive disease – AR) and those with exacerbations of an obstructive disease (AO). Methods A pre/post-test study was conducted. A RP session was applied to patients with LRTI and crackles, wheezes, dyspnoea, perception of sputum and oxygen saturation were collected pre/post session. Comparisons were performed using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests. Results Thirty patients (14 males, 55.23 ± 17.78 years) with pneumonia (AR, n = 12), exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute bronchitis and asthma (AO, n = 18) were enrolled. After treatment, the total sample presented lower wheeze rates at trachea (P = 0.02; r = −0.54) and less sputum (P = 0.01; r = −0.47). AR patients presented a decrease in the number of crackles (P < 0.05; 0.30 < dz < 0.26) and number and rate of wheezes at chest locations (P < 0.05; −0.56 < r < −0.48). AO patients showed an increase in the number of crackles (P < 0.05; 0.20 <dz