EFFECT OF TWO SELECTED POSTURAL DRAINAGE POSITIONS AND PERCUSSION ON THE BLOOD PRESSURE OF HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Abstract

This study examines the blood pressure responses of apparently healthy subjects to two postural drainage positions and percussion. Forty-one subjects (29 males and 12 females) participated in the study and were randomly assigned into four groups, with three groups having 10 subjects (7 males and 3 females) each and the fourth group having 11 subjects (8 males and 3 females). ALL of the subjects were allowed to rest for 5 minutes before taking part in the study. Thereafter, they assumed a supine (lying) position for 10 minutes and then cha 1ged to a level or a head-down, side-lying position for another 10 minutes. Their blood pressures were then taken at the first, fifth and tenth minutes. Two of the four groups received percussion while in the selected positions. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduced significantly when the subjects changed from a supine (lying) position to a level or a head-down. Side-lying position (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the SBPs and DBPs of the group that received percussion and the group that did not receive percussion. We concluded that percussion did not affect the blood pressure ofthe subjects.