Impaired mucociliary clearance is linked to poor lung function in a broad range of diseases and disabilities.
It can also decrease pulmonary shunting, increase the functional reserve capacity of the lungs, and prevent respiratory infection after chest trauma.
[4] The most common treatment of atelectasis in the hospital setting is manual chest physiotherapy[9] though there is limited evidence of its efficacy.
Patients must receive physiotherapy to learn to tip themselves into a position in which the lobe to be drained is uppermost at least three times daily for up to 30 minutes during each session.
Intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) physiotherapy has long been used in the intensive care setting in non-intubated patients.
[16] Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation physiotherapy is greatly aided by simultaneous manual augmentation of cough with either a thoracic squeeze or abdominal thrust during the expiratory phase (exhale).
An American Thoracic Society consensus statement in 2004 supported the use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation physiotherapy for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Prophylactic indications also include pre and post thoracic surgery to prevent atelectasis and respiratory infections.