PEP therapy acts similarly to which other respiratory therapy?

PEP therapy, or Positive Expiratory Pressure therapy, is designed to help improve lung function and increase the clearance of mucus. It achieves this by creating positive pressure in the airways during exhalation, which helps keep the airways open and allows for more effective expiration. This can lead to improved oxygenation and reduced work of breathing.

When comparing PEP therapy to PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure) or CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), both share the principle of maintaining positive pressure in the airways to keep them open. This is similar to PEP therapy, which applies a positive pressure during exhalation to enhance airflow and assist with mucus clearance. Both therapies can be beneficial in conditions where airflow obstruction or lung volume reduction is present.

On the other hand, inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and oxygen therapy have different mechanisms and purposes. Inhaled corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the airways, bronchodilators relax the muscles around the airways to improve airflow, and oxygen therapy is primarily aimed at increasing the oxygen saturation in the blood without directly affecting airway pressure dynamics. Thus, PEP therapy aligns closely with PEEP/CPAP in its approach to maintaining airway patency and