Ambulatory chest physiotherapy in mild-to-moderate acute bronchiolitis in children under two years of age - A randomized control trial.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the role of a chest physiotherapy (CP) intervention to no intervention on the respiratory status of children under two years of age, with mild-to-moderate bronchiolitis.

Methods: Out of 80 eligible children observed in the Emergency Room, 45 children completed the study with 28 randomized to the intervention group and 17 to the control group. The intervention protocol, applied in an ambulatory setting, consisted of combined techniques of passive prolonged slow expiration, rhinopharyngeal clearance and provoked cough. The control group was assessed with no chest physiotherapy intervention. The efficacy of chest physiotherapy was assessed using the Kristjansson Respiratory Score at the admission and discharge of the visit to the Emergency Room and during clinical visits at day 7 and day 15.

Results: There was a significant improvement in the Kristjansson Respiratory Score in the intervention group compared to the control group at day 15 [1.2 (1.5) versus 0.3 (0.5); $p$ -value $=0.005$ , in the control and intervention groups, respectively], with a mean difference (95% CI) of $-0.9$ ( $-1.6$ to $-0.3$ ).

Conclusion: Chest physiotherapy had a positive impact on the respiratory status of children with mild-to-moderate bronchiolitis.

Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04260919.