Biphasic Cuirass Ventilation in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
摘要
Respiratory rehabilitation is a cornerstone of multidisciplinary management for patients with chronic respiratory diseases, providing consistent improvements in dyspnea, exercise tolerance, quality of life, and reduction of hospitalizations. While conventional programs rely on exercise training, education, and behavioral change, technological devices have emerged as valuable adjuncts to enhance secretion clearance and ventilatory support. Among them, the Biphasic Cuirass Ventilation (BCV) device represents a non-invasive alternative that applies alternating negative and positive pressures via a rigid thoracic shell, closely mimicking physiological breathing mechanics. In addition to its ventilatory modes, BCV incorporates high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) and cough assist functions, addressing multiple steps of the secretion clearance process: mucus modification, mobilization, and expectoration. By integrating ventilation, oscillation, and cough simulation within a single system, BCV holds potential to reduce the need for multiple therapeutic devices. Early studies suggest benefits in secretion clearance, lung expansion, and patient comfort, while minimizing complications associated with positive pressure mask interfaces. Nevertheless, evidence remains preliminary, with limitations in sample size, heterogeneity of patient populations, and scarce controlled trials. Further research is required to establish standardized protocols and determine its effectiveness across different respiratory conditions. BCV thus emerges as a promising, though still investigational, tool in pulmonary rehabilitation.