Use of exercise therapy, intrapulmonary percussive ventilator, and in-exsufflator for children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities accompanied by chronic respiratory failure.

Abstract

The patient had decreased QOL for being bedridden for a long term due to chronic respiratory failure associated with recurrent respiratory infections. In order to improve respiratory functions, positive-pressure ventilation (intrapulmonary percussive ventilator, in-exsufflator), exercise therapy, respiratory physiotherapy and posture maintenance were attempted periodically. As a result, the number of pyrexia events decreased, and the patient recovered immediately even after infection. Due to the decrease in the amount of secretion, medical care needs such as aspiration were also reduced. This helped the patient achieve early ambulation, suggesting that these attempts might have contributed to the improvement of QOL.