REVIEW BRONCHIECTASIS Measuring airway clearance outcomes in bronchiectasis: a review Lisa J. Franks1,2, James R. Walsh1,2,3, Kathleen Hall1,4 and Norman R. Morris2,3,5 Affiliations: 1Physiotherapy Dept, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Australia. 2School of Allied Health Sciences and Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. 3Heart Lung Institute, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Australia. 4Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia. 5Allied Health Research Collaborative, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Australia. Correspondence: Lisa J. Franks, Physiotherapy Dept, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, Queensland 4032, Australia. E-mail:
[email protected] @ERSpublications For airway clearance research in bronchiectasis, sputum volume, lung function, dyspnoea and health- related and cough-related quality of life are currently the most common clinical and patient-reported measures of airway clearance treatment efficacy. https://bit.ly/2KXRdg8 Cite this article as: Franks LJ, Walsh JR, Hall K, et al. Measuring airway clearance outcomes in bronchiectasis: a review Eur Respir Rev 2020; 29: 190161 [https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0161-2019]. ABSTRACT While airway clearance techniques (ACTs) are recommended for individuals with bronchiectasis, many trials have demonstrated inconsistent benefits or failed to reach their primary outcome. This review determined the most common clinical and patient-reported outcome measures used to evaluate the efficacy of ACTs in bronchiectasis. A literature search of five databases using relevant keywords and filtering for studies published in English, up until the end of August 2019, was completed. Studies included randomised controlled trials, using crossover or any other trial design, and abstracts.