effect of isokinetic training for management of children with pleural diseases

ABSTRACT

Twenty-two children were included in this study having pleural effusion mostly consequential to pneumonic affection and managed medically. They were subdivided into two groups An experimental group including 12 children with mean age of 10.4 +/- 1.5 years, who received medical treatment and physical therapy and a control group comprising ten children with a mean age of 10.2 +/- 1.7 years, who received medical management only. For both groups, initial ventilatory function assessment was done before the start of treatment in the form of forced vital capacity [FVC] ml, forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV] ml, maximum voluntary ventilation [MVV] l/min. And peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] l/min. The experimental group received physical therapy isokinetic training using low pulley, vertical chest/reverse fly and chest press/sated raw machines. This program was carried out for three times/week for six weeks, after which the same parameters of ventilatory functions were done. The results showed non significant changes in the control group after medical treatment and a significant improvement in the experimental group who received physical therapy. It can he concluded that physical therapy is safe and effective modality in the management of such cases