[Influence of chest physiotherapy on gastro-œsophageal reflux in children]

Abstract

Introduction: Chest physiotherapy is regularly prescribed for children, particularly in cystic fibrosis. Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common in this disease and is associated with certain chest physiotherapy manoeuvres.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the influence of two chest physiotherapy techniques on gastro-oesophageal reflux in children.

Material and method: Twenty-nine children were investigated by routine pHmetry. During the examination, they performed two chest physiotherapy manoeuvres in a seated position for 10 minutes each with a 5 minutes rest between them. The two manoeuvres used were a slow expiration technique (ELPr) and positive expiratory pressure (PEP). It was a prospective study and the order of manoeuvres was randomised. The pH traces were analysed blindly when all the studies had been completed.

Results: In the sample, 21% of children had gastro-oesophageal reflux during the physiotherapy session. No relationship was found between reflux during physiotherapy and pathological reflux (P=0.411) nor the physiotherapy technique used (P=0.219).

Conclusion: The use of these two chest physiotherapy techniques in children in a seated position can produce gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Keywords: Chest physiotherapy; Children; Enfants; Gastro-oesophageal reflux; Kinésithérapie respiratoire; Positive expiratory pressure; Pression expiratoire positive; Reflux gastro-œsophagien.