| Methods | Randomised cross‐over trial. The physiotherapist collecting the outcome measures was blinded. |
| Participants | 14 adults with CF recruited, 13 completed the trial (mean (SD) age 33 years (12), FEV₁% predicted 51 (22), LCI (no. turnovers) 14 (4)). |
| Interventions | ACTs after HTS inhalation or ACTs during HTS inhalation on alternate days. Between days 10 – 14 of intravenous antibiotic course during a pulmonary exacerbation. ACT treatment consisted of 10 cycles of active cycle of breathing technique using an Acapella®. |
| Outcomes | Participants completed a multiple breath washout (MBW) test to obtain LCI and spirometry (FEV₁) at baseline and 90 min post treatment. Sputum collection during 90 min, ease of clearance and satisfaction with treatment was also recorded. Wilcoxon test was used and P < 0.05 was considered significant. |
| Notes | Abstract only. |
ACTs: airways clearance techniques CF: cystic fibrosis FEV₁: forced expiratory volume in one second HTS: hypertonic saline LCI: lung clearance index SD: standard deviation