Effectiveness of Airway Clearance Techniques in Bronchiectasis Management

Abstract

Bronchiectasis is a lung disease, the prevalence of which is increasing. Due to its huge burden on society, it is imperative to work on effective treatment strategies, such as airway clearance techniques (ACTs), which are among the most commonly used techniques. Online databases, including Google Scholar and PubMed, were searched. Articles published within the last five years in English were included in the search. Overall, five articles were included in the study. The results showed that ACTs in different forms, including huffing, exercise, the active cycle of breathing technique, the use of instrumental strategies, chest physiotherapy with or without saline nebulization, positive expiratory pressure, and the ELTGOL (L’ Expiration Lente Totale Glotte Ouverte en decubitus Lateral) technique, are significantly effective in dealing with the problem of bronchiectasis, including the problems associated with acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. The ACTs are effective in managing bronchiectasis. Bubble-positive expiratory pressure has been reported as the most effective among the different ACTs.