AffloVest Device Found To Improve Lung function Score in Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis

A new clinical study showed that AffloVest®, portable High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) vest, improved lung function scores in a cohort of adolescents with Cystic fibrosis. The study, entitled “An evidence-based study of adolescents with cystic fibrosis demonstrated that AffloVest® by International Biophysics contributed to improved lung function score,” reported the findings concerning the use of the AffloVest by a group of 5 cystic fibrosis patients over the course of several months, where the authors observed a real difference between the use of the device and older air-bladder technology high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) devices. The study was performed by Michael Cooper, an investigating clinician of Chicago, IL, which aims to achieve better long-term care control and quality of life for patients with chronic breathing disorders.

International Biophysics Corporation has been developing, manufacturing and marketing medical and surgical devices worldwide for more than 20 years. AffloVest is self-contained, portable, quiet, and functions with a rechargeable battery, giving patients complete freedom and mobility.   Mr. Cooper said in the news release that adolescents were using the AffloVest during a basketball game and while dancing, something that he never has seen.

The study consisted of reporting the lung function values using FEV1, parameter that measures the volume exhaled during the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver started from the level of total lung capacity, for the 5 patients before and after the therapy with AffloVest. This group of patients was previously using air bladder type HFCWO vests. There are several devices and variables that improve lung function scores, but normally they are lower than 10% and this value is suboptimal. Mr. Cooper observed 11.5% improvements in this group of patients, suggesting this device as a potential alternative therapy, especially for adolescents and college-aged patients with active lifestyles who want to cut down on the limitations and amount of time needed to use traditional breathing vest designs.

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David Shockley, CEO of International Biophysics Corporation, the owner of AffloVest, stated, “We are pleased to see these enhanced lung function scores in Mr. Cooper’s CF patients.” He added that these findings strengthened the positive opinions received previously from other patients and clinicians over the last year. Shockley added that is not common to see research being performed without corporate funding and that Mr. Cooper truly cares about the quality of life of his patients.

Clinicians that have patients with lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and neuromuscular diseases should be aware of the present clinical study.