Exercise and Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis

Regular airway clearance is an integral component of cystic fibrosis care and of critical importance to lung health. Exercise and standardized chest physiotherapy are accepted airway clearance techniques in cystic fibrosis. Different airway clearance techniques are available, but there is no evidence that one technique or a combination is superior. Oscillatory positive expiratory pressure with the Flutter® is a widely used airway clearance technique in the European countries and has been shown to favourably alter sputum viscoelasticity in cystic fibrosis.

This randomized crossover study is designed to assess the acute effects of combined cycling exercise and Flutter® therapy on sputum viscoelasticity (primary outcome measure) and gas diffusion in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Inclusion criteria

• Confirmed diagnosis of CF based on either two CF-causing mutations and/or a sweat chloride concentration during two tests of > 60 mmol/l
• Patients that are able to provide sputum samples
• Adult age ≥ 18 years

Exclusion criteria

• Unstable condition affecting participation in the exercise experiments (i.e., major hemoptysis or pneumothorax within the last 3 months, acute exacerbation and iv-antibiotics during the last 4 weeks, unstable allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, listed for lung transplantation, major musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures or sprains during the last 2 months, others according to the impression of the doctor)
• Cardiac arrhythmias with exercise
• Requiring additional oxygen with exercise
• Colonization with Burkholderia cenocepacia
• Status post lung transplantation