• Kevin J O'Sullivan, Louise Collins, Deirdre McGrath, Barry Linnane, Leonard O'Sullivan, and Colum P Dunne.
• Design Factors Research Group, School of Design, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
• Respir Care. 2019 Apr 1; 64 (4): 398405398-405.

BackgroundOscillating positive expiratory pressure devices aid removal of excess secretions and reduce gas trapping in patients with hypersecretory pulmonary diseases, for example, cystic fibrosis. Oscillating positive expiratory pressure works when the patient exhales actively against a fixed resistor, which generates mean intrapulmonary pressures of 10-20 cm H2O with rapid fluctuations of at least 1 cm H2O from the mean. In this study, we evaluated the performance of oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy by pediatric subjects with cystic fibrosis to determine adherence to target therapeutic pressures.MethodsTwenty-one pediatric subjects were recruited. Each had a history of using an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device twice daily and had received standardized training and instructions from the same specialist physiotherapist. Performance was evaluated by using a flow and pressure sensor placed in-line between the participant's mouth and the device. The participants performed expirations as per their normal routine.ResultsNone of the participants achieved target therapeutic pressure ranges during expiration. The mean ± SD pressure generated was 16.2 ± 6.8 cm H2O, whereas mean ± SD flow was 31.3 ± 8.9 L/min. The mean ± SD expiration length was 2.5 ± 1.4 s.ConclusionsDespite standardized instruction, the results demonstrated considerable variation among the participants and overall poor technique during use. Outcomes of this study indicated that airway clearance effects of oscillating positive expiratory pressure were compromised due to poor technique.Copyright © 2019 by Daedalus Enterprises.

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