Factors Associated with the Peak Flow Variation Generated during Forced Manual Hyperinflation Technique

Abstract

Background: Manual hyperinflation is one of the most used respiratory physiotherapy techniques in critically ill patients and consists of administering a higher volume of gaseous fluid than the patient performed using a self-inflating balloon (AMBU). This technique was developed with the objective of removing bronchial secretion and re-expansion of atelectasis lung areas, thus improving pulmonary compliance and oxygenation in mechanically ventilated patients. Objectives: To demonstrate the peak flow variation generated during the physiotherapeutic technique of abrupt manual hyperinflation in an experimental model according to gender and classification among physiotherapists and physicists. Methods: The analytical and exploratory study included 115 participants, who were instructed to carry out the technique of abrupt manual hyperinflation with the AMBU connected to the device of measuring the peak of three times. Data were analyzed descriptively, according to gender and educational level, Shapiro-Wilk test, t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the mean PEF, height and age variables. Results: The sample consisted of women (74%) and physiotherapists (75%), with a mean of 22.71 ± 5.75 years of age, 116.74 ± 8.36 cm of height and 322.03 + 45.78 l/min peak flow. There was a significant difference between the genders for mean PEF (P = 0.000), for age (P = 0.002) and for height (P = 0.000) and between the average PEF (P = 0.001) and for the age (P = 0.000). Conclusions: Factors such as male gender, educational level and age were positively influenced by the mean peak expiratory flow generated by the manual hyperinflation technique.