Cochrane Systematic Review 24 January 2019
- A review of the the evidence from six Cochrane Reviews about the effect of airway clearance techniques in people with cystic fibrosis.
- The overview found moderate evidence that PEP therapy and vibrating (oscillating) devices have a similar effect on lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after six months of treatment.
- It was not possible to draw definitive conclusions for all other comparisons in terms of FEV1 because the quality of evidence is currently lacking. Likewise, it was not possible to draw any definitive conclusions for other outcome measures such as individual preference and quality of life. Harms, such as acid reflux, collapsed lungs, coughing up blood, or decreased oxygen, were rarely mentioned in the original trials. There is a lack of evidence to determine if any particular airway clearance therapy is riskier than the other therapies.
