Chest Physiotherapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients – A Case Series

Abstract

Background: In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), progressive scarring stiffens the chest wall, hampers clearance of airway secretions, and leaves patients increasingly breathless. Chest physiotherapy is commonly used to ease these symptoms and support better breathing in people with IPF. Objective: We aimed to find out whether chest physiotherapy specifically thoracic expansion exercises combined with autogenic drainage could improve respiratory function, oxygenation, functional capacity, and symptoms in patients with IPF. Methods: Seven patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IPF completed a two-week supervised chest physiotherapy program, practicing thoracic expansion exercises and autogenic drainage daily. Chest expansion (upper, middle, and lower thoracic levels), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, and dyspnea (UCSD Shortness of Breath Questionnaire, SOBQ) were recorded before and after the program. Results: In 7 patients (mean age: 71.43 years), the intervention significantly improved all metrics (p