Effect of an extracorporeal diaphragm pacemaker combined with airway clearance technology on pulmonary infection, diaphragmatic mobility and thickness in older adult patients with dementia / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of an extracorporeal diaphragm pacemaker (EDP) combined with airway clearance technology (ACT) in the treatment of pulmonary infection in older adult patients with dementia and its impact on diaphragmatic mobility and thickness.Methods:A total of 60 patients with dementia and pulmonary infections who received treatment at The Second Hospital of Jinhua from June 2022 to February 2023 were included in this prospective study. These patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 patients in each group. The control group received ACT treatment, while the observation group received EDP treatment on the basis of ACT treatment. Two groups were treated for 4 successive weeks. Efficacy was compared between the two groups. Before and after treatment, sputum color score, sputum quality score, diaphragmatic mobility, and diaphragmatic thickness were compared between the two groups.Results:The overall response rate in the observation group was 93.33% (28/30), which was significantly higher than 73.33% (22/30) in the control group ( Z = 2.08, P = 0.038). After treatment, the sputum color score, sputum quality score, and sputum volume in the observation group were (0.46 ± 0.12) points, (0.34 ± 0.10) points, and (8.47 ± 1.23) mL, respectively, which were significantly lower than (0.89 ± 0.17) points, (0.76 ± 0.18) points, and (13.25 ± 2.87) mL, respectively, in the control group ( t = 11.32, 11.17, 8.38, all P < 0.001). After treatment, the diaphragmatic mobility and thickness in the observation group were (13.52 ± 0.51) mm and (0.52 ± 0.06) mm, respectively, which were significantly greater than (12.76 ± 0.41) mm and (0.44 ± 0.04) mm, respectively, in the control group ( t = -6.36, -6.08, both P < 0.001). Conclusion:The combined application of EDP and ACT shows a significant therapeutic effect on patients with dementia and pulmonary infection, effectively improving their pulmonary function, increasing the mobility and thickness of the diaphragm, and alleviating difficulties in breathing.