Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiopulmonary and Geriatrics Disorders

The purpose of this study: to determine the effectiveness of soft tissues manipulation on chronic bronchitis; diaphragmatic and thoracic excursion, pulmonary function tests (PFTS) and patient's symptoms. Subjects and methods: nighty chronic bronchitis male patients with grade II (moderate) and III (severe) severity index, with stable condition and under medications, they all were selected from Kafr El sheikh chest hospital. The ages of all patients ranged from 50 to 60 years, Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group (A) is the control group and consisted of 30 chronic bronchitis patients received a placebo treatment in form of light touch to the same anatomical regions and for the same time as study group. Group (B) is the study group and consisted of 60 chronic bronchitis patients received a soft tissues manipulation treatment consisted of four manual therapy techniques with the following sequence; rib raising , doming the diaphragm, sub occipital release and thoracic lymphatic pump for 15 to 25 minutes, once weekly and for three consecutive weeks. Data measured included, chest expansion by measurement tape, diaphragmatic excursion evaluated by M. mode ultrasound, PFTS (FEV1, VC, FEV1/VC) measured using spirometry and patient's symptoms (Dyspnea, emotional state and quality of life) guided by guyatt's chronic respiratory disease questionnaire (GCRDQ), all were measured at baseline and half hour after the third treatment

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