Investigation into compliance with physiotherapy regimen in cystic fibrosis

Abstract

A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted among 66 patients with cystic fibrosis and their parents to determine the nature and frequency of performance of chest physiotherapy, physical exercise and nebulization. Data were collected by means of structured questionnaires. Fifty-five patients received chest physiotherapy. Approximately 48% of these patients received physiotherapy once or twice a day whereas the remaining patients did physiotherapy only in the presence of a chest infection or once or twice a week. No sociodemographic or medical data were significantly associated with how often physiotherapy was performed. Three-quarters of the patients engaged in physical exercise. Fourteen patients substituted exercise for physiotherapy although more than half this group relied upon physiotherapy during respiratory infections. Findings suggested a measure of ignorance concerning the methods of chest physiotherapy. Of the 50% of patients who used a nebulizer almost one half were inadvertently nebulizing antibiotics before physiotherapy. Findings are discussed in the light of current controversies surrounding the efficacy of chest physiotherapy in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.