EVALUATION OF IMPACT OF CHEST PHYSIOTHERAPY ON MORBIDITY OF PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia causes a lot of problems for adults who are in the hospital, in part because it makes it harder for them to clear their airways. Chest physiotherapy (CPT) is frequently utilised as an adjunctive treatment; however, its quantitative effects on clinical morbidity indicators are inconsistent in the literature.

Objective(s): To evaluate the impact of standardised chest physiotherapy on (1) respiratory rate, (2) oxygen saturation (SpO₂), (3) sputum volume, (4) radiological improvement, and (5) length of hospitalisation in adult pneumonia patients.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted involving 60 adult pneumonia patients (n=30 intervention, n=30 control) at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital, Lahore, over a period of 4 months. In addition to regular medical care, the intervention group got structured CPT (postural drainage, percussion, vibration, PEP therapy, and early mobilisation) twice a day. The control group only got normal medical care. Results were assessed daily for seven days or until discharge. We examined the data using independent t-tests and chi-square tests (p < 0.05).

Results: The CPT group showed big improvements compared to the controls: the mean respiratory rate dropped from 26.4 ± 3.2 to 18.1 ± 2.1 breaths/min (p < 0.001); the SpO₂ level rose from 88.3 ± 2.5% to 95.2 ± 1.8% (p < 0.001); sputum clearance (from copious to scanty) was achieved in 83% of the CPT group compared to 47% of controls (p = 0.003); and the mean hospital stay dropped from 9.4 ± 2.1 days to 6.2 ± 1.7 days (p < 0.001). Radiological improvement (≥50% infiltrate resolution) was noted in 73% of the CPT group versus 40% of the controls (p = 0.008).

Conclusion: Standardised chest physiotherapy substantially reduces morbidity indicators in adult pneumonia patients, including accelerated respiratory normalisation, improved oxygenation, enhanced secretion clearance, decreased hospital stay duration, and superior radiological outcomes. CPT ought to be considered a standard supplementary treatment for non-ventilated adult pneumonia patients