Australian adults with cystic fibrosis commonly use exercise as an alternative to traditional airway clearance techniques: A national survey.

Abstract

Introduction/Aim: Some people with cystic fibrosis (CF) consider exercise as an alternative to traditional airway clearance techniques (ACTs). The type, frequency, duration and intensity of exercise that people with CF use instead of traditional ACTs has not been described. The aim of this study was to identify the beliefs and practices of adults with CF regarding the use of exercise as an alternative to traditional ACTs. Method(s): Adults with CF from all Australian CF centres were invited to complete a purpose-designed questionnaire examining their beliefs and practices regarding exercise as an alternative to traditional ACTs. Demographic data, including the participants' self-perceived severity of respiratory disease assessed by visual analogue scale were recorded. Data are presented as mean+/-SD, with significance P < 0.05. Result(s): 758 eligible people were approached to participate, with 692 (91%) completing the survey (57% male, 31.1+/-10.5 years, FEV1pred 63+/-23%). There were 43% who agreed/strongly agreed that exercise could be used as an alternative to traditional ACTs. Beliefs about the role of exercise for airway clearance were based on personal experience (85%), advice from an unspecified health professional (12%) and advice from a physiotherapist (7%). Exercise had been used as an alternative to traditional ACTs by 44% of participants in the last three months, with these participants having significantly better FEV1pred (68+/-22% vs 60+/-24%, P < 0.001) and lower perceived severity (3.4+/-2.3 vs 4.2+/-2.5 cms, P < 0.001) than those who had not. Conclusion(s): Exercise was utilised by 44% of the participants as an alternative to traditional ACTs, particularly in those with milder disease. Further research is required to investigate the efficacy of exercise as an alternative to traditional ACTs.