Efficacy and Safety Study of a Percussion Device to Mobilise Sputum From Respiratory Passage

This study will compare the amount of sputum expectorated during the two procedures and not intended to look at the clinical improvement of the patient.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult patients > 18 years of age
• Chronic sputum expectoration-(producing >30ml/day of sputum at baseline)
• Clinical diagnosis of bronchiectasis or COPD
• Not carrying out regular chest physiotherapy (for the purposes of this study this will be defined as less than two occasions per week)
• Clinically stable disease (defined as no requirement for antibiotics in the 4 weeks preceding study entry).
• FEV1 of > 35% of the predicted value in COPD patients

Exclusion criteria

• Primary diagnosis of asthma;
• Active sarcoidosis
• Active Pulmonary tuberculosis.
• History of brittle bones,
• History of broken ribs in the past one year.
• History of severe osteoporosis
• Bleeding from the lungs or haemoptysis
• Experiencing intense pain in the thoracic region
• Clinical suspicion of increased intracranial pressure.
• Have head or neck injuries
• Have collapsed lungs or a damaged chest wall;
• Recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina and stroke (Within 6 months prior to enrollment)
• Have a pulmonary embolism or lung abscess;
• Have an active hemorrhage
• Have injuries to the spine
• Have open wounds or burns in the thoracic region
• Have had recent surgery (Within six months prior to enrollment.)
• Any systemic steroids within 4/52 prior to enrollment
• Any antibiotics within 4/52 prior to enrollment