Abstract
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a varied lung disease resulting in persistent respiratory symptoms with subsequent persistent, progressive airflow obstruction. Pulmonary rehabilitation including mainly chest physiotherapy and more recently high frequency chest wall oscillation vest device (HFCWO) which both aim to clear the airway and improve pulmonary function. Aim: evaluate the effect of HFCWO vest device versus chest physiotherapy on COPD patient's outcome. Method: a quasi-experimental research design was used , ninety patients with COPD were randomly allocated into two equal groups of forty five each (study and control) at Chest department at Specialized Medical building; Mansoura University Hospital. Tools: The study's data was gathered using three tools.: Tool I: structured interview Questionnaire (Part 1: Patient's Demographic Data sheet, Part 2: Health Relevant Data), II: Modified Medical Research Council's dyspnea scale, III: 6-minute walking test. Results: a highly statistically significant difference was detected between both groups in relation to expectorated sputum, which increased in study group than control group where (p-value<0.001), dyspnea severity increased in control group than study group but without any significant statistical difference and patients' ability to walk distance improved in study and control group at posttest and follow-up test but without any significant statistical difference. There is a significant association had been found between the severity of dyspnea and patient's ability to walk distance where (p=0.048,p<0.003 respectively). Conclusion: HFCWO vest device was an effective way to enhance COPD patient outcome than conventional chest physiotherapy but without statistically significant difference.