Introduction
It is recommended the association of inhalation therapies and physiotherapy on the management of cystic fibrosis (CF); however, it is still necessary to understand the effect on respiratory mechanics of these therapies combined. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effect of inhalation with Dornase‐Alfa (DNase) and hypertonic saline solution (HSS), as well as the impact of these inhalation therapies associated with an oral high‐frequency oscillation (OHFO) physiotherapy device, on the respiratory mechanics of children and adolescents with CF.
Method
Children/adolescents with CF were allocated into two groups (DNaseG and HSSG), where they performed inhalation therapy before using the OHFO device for physiotherapy. In each group, the Impulse Oscillometry System was conducted before and after inhalation therapy, and after OHFO. ANOVA was carried out to analyse the respiratory mechanics at different moments of DNaseG and HSSG. The Mann‐Whitney test compared the immediate effect of each inhalation therapy and after OHFO.
Results
30 children (6‐14 years old) were studied. In DNaseG, the mean value of most oscillometric parameters decreased in the evaluated moments; in HSSG, only reactance showed an immediate increase.
Conclusion
Children/adolescents with CF showed an immediate decrease in airway resistance and reactance after the use of DNase and associated with OHFO, indicating improvement. The inhalation with HSS has an immediate effect on peripheral airways.