265 Practice of chest physiotherapy in adult patients with cystic fibrosis

Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess the modalities of physiotherapy in adult patients with cystic fibrosis. Method: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 165 out-patients from September to December 2010. Mean age was 31.6 years (17−70 years) and mean FEV1 was 52.7±21.8% pred. Results: Among the 153 patients (93%) who practiced CPT, 64 (42%) performed it every day (39 patients once a day and 25 patients at least twice a day). 32 patients (21%) performed CPT only 3 times a week or less. There was no relationship between the frequency of PTC sessions and FEV1. 145 patients (95%) said they were able to practice self-administered CPT, but 105 patients performed CPT with a physiotherapist (40 exclusively with a physiotherapist and 65 both alone and with a physiotherapist). CPT sessions with the physiotherapist took place exclusively at home in 24%, exclusively at the physiotherapist’s office in 55% or at both places in 21%. Nevertheless, 48 patients (31%) did not have a physiotherapist (41 patients performed self-administered CPT and 7 patients had CPT with the help of their relatives). The average length of a CPT session was 23 minutes. Very few patients (14) used airway clearance therapy devices, mainly flutter device. Many patients (43%) did not know which technique of CPT they used. Only 12 patients (7%) did not perform CPT and the main reason was lack of time. They had significantly higher FEV1 than the patients who practiced CPT. Conclusion: Although the majority of adult CF patients perform CPT, less than half comply with the recommendation of daily CPT. It underscores the importance of patient’s education.