Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency and force of chest vibration as applied by 18 physiotherapists working in a teaching hospital. METHOD: CHEST VIBRATION WAS APPLIED TO A HEALTHY ADULT MALE LYING SUPINE ON A PLINTH WITH SEVEN MOUNTED SENSORS MEASURING FREQUENCY AND FORCE, DURING THREE TEST CONDITIONS: (1) directly on the chest, (2) on the chest through a layer of sheet, and (3) on the chest through a layer of towelling. The influence of gender and current practice area (physiotherapists working in cardiopulmonary areas [cardiopulmonary physiotherapists] and physiotherapists who presently did not work in the cardiopulmonary area, but had treated cardiopulmonary patients within the last year [general practice physiotherapists]) on the frequency and force of chest vibrations was examined. RESULTS: Physiotherapists demonstrated a mean frequency of 5.7, 5.3, and 5 Hz and a mean maximum force of 272.78, 273.47, and 271.13 N for conditions 1, 2, and 3 respectively. There were no significant differences in the frequency or forces generated by vibration between cardiopulmonary and general practice physiotherapists, between genders, or among the three test conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Vibration frequency was lower and force higher than previously recorded. Force may vary depending on the patient. The addition of a sheet or towel did not affect the force or frequency of vibration compared to vibration performed directly on the chest.