Clinical Evidence

Restoring Functional Lung Volume with IPV Therapy

Mobilizing secretions—even deep in the lungs

Toussaint, M., et al. Respiratory Care. 2003.

IPV therapy’s high-velocity flow works around obstructions to access distal airways, while its percussions “break up mucus cohesion and adhesion” to mobilize secretions.

When compared in the research to other common airway clearance techniques, IPV therapy has been shown to mobilize more secretions—outperforming chest physical therapy (CPT), high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO), and oscillation and lung expansion therapy (OLE).

Simulated Mucus Removal (%)

Conomon, D., et al. Respiratory Care. 2021.

This benchmark test compares IPV and OLE therapies removal of simulated mucus (SM). Even using similar settings, IPV therapy cleared more SM both with and without invasive ventilation.

“Participants [cystic fibrosis patients] thought they performed more bronchopulmonary hygiene with IPV therapy, spent less time on therapy, relied less on others for therapy, and thought IPV therapy was relatively comfortable.”

Varekojis, S.M., et al. Respiratory Care. 2003

Limited expiratory flow means limited secretion movement: IPV therapy can help

Especially for patients prone to inflammation like those with COPD and asthma, hyperinflation and air trapping is a concern. Not only can these issues prevent efficient gas exchange, they can also be related to limited expiratory flow.

IPV therapy has been shown to reduce expiratory flow limitation, increase expiratory volume, and increase both inspiratory and expiratory mechanics, which may help patients clear secretions on their own.

COPD improvement scores

Nicolini, A., et al. The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2018.

In a study of 60 severe COPD patients IPV therapy performed better than CPT and HFCWO in the Breathlessness Cough and Sputum Scale score improvement.

Improved expiratory flow limitation

Vargas, F., et al. Journal of Critical Care. 2009.

Of the 25 extubated COPD patients with EFL, all but one patient saw improvement – and the one who did not improve maintained their EFL and did not worsen.

Improved respiratory mechanics

Nicolini, A., et al. The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2018.

Combat atelectasis quickly for compliance and gas exchange

While secretions and air trapping can impair gas exchange, alveoli in atelectatic areas of the lung are completely unable to perform the process. IPV therapy helps recruit the lungs quickly for a wide variety of patients.

Fast, effective lung recruitment

Deakins, K., et al. Respiratory Care. 2002.

Atelectasis Scores

Duration of treatment to Atelectasis Resolution

Improved key markers of atelectasis

Tsuruta, R., et al. Journal of Critical Care. 2006.

Improved distal gas exchange

Nicolini, A., et al. The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2018.

Better patient outcomes with IPV therapy

Evidence suggests that IPV therapy can improve outcomes in respiratory patients by preventing worsening exacerbations and reducing length of stay — both of which can help reduce cost.

Improved patient course

Vargas, F., et al. Critical Care. 2005.

In this study of 33 patients with COPD exacerbations, the group of patients treated with IPV therapy was less likely to require NIV and spent 14% less time in the hospital compared to the control group.

“IPV therapy may prevent the deterioration of acute exacerbations of COPD with mild respiratory acidosis. The method we employed was well tolerated. In addition, the technique performed at an early stage could be a cost–saving measure.”

Vargas, F., et al. Critical Care. 2005.

Improved quality of life markers as part of a preventative regimen

Reardon, C.C., et al. The Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2005.

“Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation as part of a preventive pulmonary regimen reduced days of antibiotic use and hospitalization for respiratory illness.”

Reardon, C.C., et al. The Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2005.

Exercise Capacity

Dierckx, W., et al. BMC Pulmonary Medicine. 2025.

Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation for 4 weeks has a positive effect on exercise capacity and patient-reported outcomes in patients with stable COPD.

Safety across patient populations

In part because of its customizability, IPV therapy is a safe and effective choice for many patient populations. Studies have proven its utility and safety across a variety of patient groups and care settings.

IPV therapy is “safe and overall well tolerated” in COPD patients.

Nava, S., et al. Respiratory Medicine. 2006.

Tracheostomized adults in the intervention group of this study “tolerated the percussive ventilator very well.”

Clini, E.M., et al. Intensive Care Medicine. 2006.

Cystic fibrosis patients treated with IPV therapy did not experience adverse consequences and “reported no discomfort…compared with conventional P&PD [CPT] therapy.”

Natale, J.E., et al. Chest. 1994.

In this single-center study of ventilated children under 2 with severe bronchiolitis, “the use of IPV [therapy] had no adverse reactions.”

Cavari, Y., et al. Open Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health. 2022.

In this study of advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, no adverse effects were reported and patients “tolerated all treatments well.”

Toussaint, M., et al. Respiratory Care. 2003.

“No adverse effects” were recorded in this study of pediatric patients with atelectasis.

Deakins, K., et al. Respiratory Care. 2002.