Changes in ventilation mechanics during expiratory rib cage compression in healthy males.
Kyoushi Mase, Kenta Yamamoto, Sigefumi Murakami and 4 others
PMID 29950772WHAT IT FOUND
In six healthy men lying down, manual rib cage compression during expiration made breaths deeper and slower, reduced lung volume after breathing out, and increased resistance to breathing.
It did not increase lung volume beyond quiet breathing.
Key findings
01Both upper and lower rib cage compression made breaths deeper and slower and reduced lung volume after breathing out compared with quiet breathing.
02Compression increased resistance to breathing, while dynamic lung compliance did not significantly change.
03Lower rib cage compression increased end-expiratory gastric pressure more than upper rib cage compression.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Six healthy males only, so the results cannot be assumed for women, older adults, or people with pulmonary or cardiovascular disease. Measurements were made only in the supine position, which has a lower functional residual capacity than side-lying or sitting. The study measured breathing mechanics, not clinical outcomes such as secretion clearance. Only inspiratory resistance was analyzed because expiratory resistance did not fit the linear model well. All compressions were performed by one physiotherapist, so results may not transfer to other therapists or slightly different technique. The paper is a small physiological study, not a test of whether expiratory rib cage compression is effective.
Declared interests
No financial support was received for this study, and the authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that expiratory rib cage compression improves clinical breathing or clears secretions. The study included only six healthy males lying down, measured mechanics rather than patient outcomes, and showed lower lung volume after breathing out and higher resistance to breathing during the maneuver.