Level of patient satisfaction with chest physiotherapy airway clearance techniques in bronchiectasis–a survey

Objective: There is a lack of retrievable data, on patient satisfaction with Chest Physiotherapy airway clearance techniques for individuals with Bronchiectasis in Indian population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 140 bronchiectasis patients. The questionnaire consisted of Section-I comprising of general questions and Section-II comprising of 21 questions related to satisfaction with chest physiotherapy techniques divided under 5 domains (efficacy, convenience, comfort, satisfaction and cost effectiveness). Results: A total of 140 subjects filled the questionnaire comprising 30.7% males and 69.3% females of mean age 57.15 + 10.80 years. The overall patients satisfied with all airway clearance techniques were above 90%. The assertion was held that postural drainage, percussions and vibrations were effective overall by 97.9% of the subjects, being convenient and satisfactory by 95.7%, comfortable by 100% and being cost effective was held by 93.7% of the subjects. Active cycle of breathing technique being overall effective, convenient, comfortable and satisfactory was opined by 100% and cost effective by 91.3% of the subjects. Forced expiratory techniques being overall effective, convenient, comfortable and satisfactory was asserted by 100% and cost effective by 91.7% of the subjects. While mechanical devices being overall effective, convenient, comfortable was opined by 100%, satisfactory by 95.65%, and cost effective by 93.47% of the subjects. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest a high level of patient satisfaction with Chest Physiotherapy airway clearance techniques in individuals with Bronchiectasis.