Effects of High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) on Clinical Symptoms in COPD

Background : Mucociliary clearance plays a critical role in pulmonary host defense. Abnormal mucociliary clearance contributes to the pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders, including COPD. In bronchiectasis, treatments targeting mucus obstruction in the airways include the use of high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy. This prospective outcome based study was designed to investigate the changes in symptoms and quality of life (QOL) to measure the effect of adjunctive HFCWO therapy to standard of care therapy for patients with COPD. Research Question: When HFCWO is indicated and used as intended, will the quality of life for those patients with COPD improve and sustain improvement. Study Design and Methods : We conducted a prospective, openl-label, observational study in COPD patients without concomitant bronchiectasis. Participants had assessments of QOL at baseline (day 0) and then at 30 and 90 days after initiation of HFCWO therapy. The St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD Patients (SGRQ-C) was employed and longitudinally followed at each timepoint. Paired t-tests were used to compare means between each time points adjusted for multiple comparisons. A linear mixed model for the analysis of longitudinal data was then constructed to determine the simultaneous contribution of race, gender, ethnicity, time, and selected interactions in the primary outcome of change in SGRQ-C across 0, 30, and 90 days . Results : The cohort of patients (n=102) demonstrated a significant reduction in the SGRQ-C at 30 and sustained at 90 days compared to baseline. In addition, two component scores of the SGRQ-C questionnaire (“Symptoms” and Impacts”) were significantly reduced at 30 and 90 days. Interpretation : This prospective, observational study demonstrates statistically significant and clinically favorable responses to HFCWO as an adjunctive therapy for patients with a primary diagnosis of COPD without concomitant bronchiectasis. Results of this study inform the design of additional additional studies of HFCWO to prove efficacy inCOPD patients.