Can exercise replace airway clearance techniques in cystic fibrosis? A survey of patients and healthcare professionals

• Published in: Journal of cystic fibrosis 2020-07, Vol.19 (4), p.e19-e24
• Main Authors: Rowbotham, N.J., Smith, S.J., Davies, G., Daniels, T., Elliott, Z.C., Gathercole, K., Rayner, O.C., Smyth, A.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway clearance techniques; Clinical trial; Co-production; Cystic fibrosis; Exercise; Priority setting
• ISSN: 1569-1993; 1873-5010
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2019.10.026

•“Can exercise replace chest physiotherapy?” is a top 10 CF research question.•Only 4% of people with CF do no exercise at present.•Over half already incorporate exercise into their airway clearance techniques (ACT).•Nearly half of people with CF omit ACT when exercising.•There is support for a trial replacing some or all of ACT with exercise. Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) are recommended in cystic fibrosis (CF) to prevent accumulation of secretions and lung infection. “Can exercise replace chest physiotherapy for people with CF?” is one of the CF community's top 10 research questions. We conducted an online survey of the CF community to gather data on current ACT use, recommendations, reported adherence levels and exercise strategies used. There were 488 respondents: 194 (40%) people with CF (pwCF), 141 (29%) family and 153 (31%) healthcare professionals (HCPs) (mostly physiotherapists). Only 10/285 (4%) of pwCF do no exercise at present and 163/303 (54%) already incorporate exercise into ACTs. ACTs were omitted by 128/267 (48%) of pwCF when they exercised. Nearly all (110/129, 93%) of HCPs currently recommend exercise to support ACTs. A trial replacing some or all ACTs with exercise, was supported by 80/110 (73%) of HCPs, with an additional 9/110 (8%) willing to consider in selected patients. [Display omitted]