There is no published research which
has determined the effect ofthe force
of percussion on treatment efficacy.
The present study demonstrates that
there is a large range in the force of
percussion as applied by
·physiotherapists. Further research
should be aimed at determining the
force of percussion used in different
patient populations and the effect of
force on outcome measures such as the
volume or weight of sputum
expectorated, rate of sputum
expectoration, mucociliary transport
velocities, pulmonary function, arterial
blood gas tensions and oxygen
saturation.