A methodical synthesis from a Cochrane Network group, published in 2023, identified randomized trials that evaluated the effects of respiratory physiotherapy by prolonged slow expiration or by acceleration of respiratory flow in infants with bronchiolitis.
The prolonged slow expiration technique was evaluated versus no physiotherapy in six randomized trials, including one double-blind, which included a total of 334 infants suffering from bronchiolitis considered mild to moderate; five of these trials were carried out in hospitalized infants. At the end of the trials, the manifestations of bronchiolitis appeared less in the prolonged slow expiration groups (statistically significant difference). The only trial conducted in non-hospitalized infants does not provide conclusive data due to various methodological weaknesses.
Acceleration of respiratory flow was evaluated versus no physiotherapy in three randomized trials, including one double-blind, which included a total of 628 infants, all hospitalized. One trial involved infants with mild to moderate bronchiolitis, and two trials included infants with severe bronchiolitis. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in time to recovery or clinical stability.
In a trial which evaluated the technique by accelerating respiratory flow in infants with severe bronchiolitis, certain adverse effects were more frequent in the physiotherapy group: transient respiratory destabilization, vomiting.
Prepared by the Editorial Team
©Prescrire June 1, 2024
• Full text:
“Bronchiolitis and respiratory physiotherapy” Rev Prescrire 2024; 44 (488): 454-455. Reserved for subscribers.
