The role of phonophoresis in patients with COPD: a randomized clinical trial

COPD is a progressive disease which characterized by coughing, excess sputum and dyspnea. According to Global Burden of Disease Study, COPD has a high prevalence, mortality and disability. It is shown that patients with excessively thick sputum may suffer frequent attacks or be prone to more serious disease. There are numerous technologies try to address the problem. But it still in patients with COPD. There are ample evidence in the effective of phonophoresis. However, few reports of its use report in COPD. So the aim of the study is to explore the effectiveness of phonophoresis in COPD.This single-site randomized clinical trial was conducted in China, with forty participants.The intervention group will receive week-long phonophoresis. And the other group will be treated through usual care in respiratory medicine. The primary outcome is the changes in sputum viscosity measured with a viscometer. Furthermore the co-primary outcome is change in lung function and quality of life. Among forty patients who were randomized (mean [SD] age, 59.95 [12.58] years; females, 54.5%), all participants completed the study. The mean change in sputum viscosity at one week was −9mpa.s in the intervention and 14.54mpa.s in the usual care group(adjusted difference, −2.67 [95% CI, -201.25 to -21.83]; P =0.091). The differences of FEV1/FVC between intervention and usual care group was -0.198( [95% CI, 12.41 to 10.32]; P =0.846). The changes in participants' CAT total score was -3.3( [95% CI, -4.15 to -.093]; P =0.004). In the trial of patients hospitalized due to COPD, one week of intervention is effective. Further we need to evaluate this intervention in other settings.