High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation for Asthma and COPD Exacerbations
Author Information
Author(s): Amit K Mahajan, Gregory B Diette, Umur Hatipoğlu, Andrew Bilderback, Alana Ridge, Vanessa Walker Harris, Vijay Dalapathi, Sameer Badlani, Stephanie Lewis, Jeff T Charbeneau, Edward T Naureckas, Jerry A Krishnan
Primary Institution: University of Chicago
Hypothesis
Does high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) improve outcomes in adults hospitalized for acute asthma or COPD?
Conclusion
HFCWO is well tolerated in adults hospitalized for acute asthma or COPD and significantly improves dyspnea.
Supporting Evidence
- Patient adherence was similarly high in both groups (91% vs. 93%; p = 0.70).
- A higher proportion of patients in the active treatment group had a clinically significant improvement in dyspnea (70.8% vs. 42.3%, p = 0.04).
- HFCWO significantly improves dyspnea compared to sham treatment.
Takeaway
Using a special vest that shakes your chest can help people with asthma or COPD breathe better when they're in the hospital.
Methodology
This was a randomized, multi-center, double-masked phase II clinical trial comparing active and sham HFCWO treatment in hospitalized adults with acute asthma or COPD.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the involvement of study coordinators in assisting patients with the treatment.
Limitations
The study may have been underpowered to detect differences in some secondary outcomes, and the treatment duration was limited.
Participant Demographics
Adults aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of acute asthma or COPD.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.04
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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