Acute effects of combined exercise and oscillatory positive expiratory pressure therapy on sputum properties and lung diffusion capacity in cystic fibrosis: a randomized crossover trial

Cystic fibrosis is the most common genetic life-limiting disease caused by abnormalities in cystic fibrosis conductance transmembrane protein function.
Depletion of airway surface liquid, dehydrated mucus, chronic inflammation and infection contribute to accumulation of secretions and progressive lung damage in cystic fibrosis. Regular airway clearance is therefore of critical importance to lung health. Both exercise and standardized chest physiotherapy are accepted airway clearance techniques in cystic fibrosis. This study aims to compare a single bout
of moderately intense cycling exercise incorporating breathing maneuvers with the Flutter® device with a single bout of moderately intense cycling exercise alone on sputum viscoelasticity and the diffusion capacity of the lungs in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.