Airway clearance in patients with Parkinson's disease - overview and possibilities of physiotherapeutic intervention

Abstract

Up to 40% of patients with Parkinson's disease die due to pneumonia. In Parkinson's disease patients, the ability to maintain airway hygiene is often overlooked and not routinely assessed.

Respiratory physiotherapy techniques can be used to make expectoration easier and more effective in these patients. The algorithm of choice of these techniques is governed by the results of cough efficiency and respiratory muscle strength examination.

Keywords

• Parkinson's disease
• cough
• peak cough flow
• respiratory muscle strength
• airway clearance techniques