Physiological principles of airway clearance techniques used in the physiotherapy management of cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has a reported incidence of one in 2500 live births in the UK and is the most common cause of suppurative lung disease in Caucasian children. Effective management of the respiratory component of this condition relies on optimal antibiotic therapy combined with efficient clearance of retained airway secretions. Physiotherapy management of CF aims to address patient problems associated with the impairment of mucocilliary clearance mechanisms. Over the last two decades a number of airway clearance techniques (ACTs) used during physiotherapy treatment have been developed and studied within the CF paediatric population. Many of these ACTs share common physiological principles that are well described and reported. This article gives a brief overview of the most commonly used techniques used in the paediatric CF population.