Objective To investigate the effects of vibratory positive expiratory pressure training combined with nebulized N-acetylcysteine inhalation on respiratory function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods A total of 53 patients with AECOPD were selected and randomly divided into control group (28 cases) and experimental group (25 cases). The control group received nebulized N-acetylcysteine inhalation therapy, while the experimental group received vibratory positive expiratory pressure training in addition to nebulized inhalation. The cough symptom score, dyspnea score, blood gas analysis indicators, exercise tolerance, and pulmonary function indicators were compared between the two groups after 7 days of intervention.

Results After 7 days of intervention, the cough symptom score and dyspnea score in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group; the arterial partial pressure of oxygen p_a(O₂) was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, while the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide p_a(CO₂) was significantly lower; the improvement in the five-repetition sit-to-stand test in the experimental group was (2.01±1.13) s, which was significantly greater than (1.17±0.76) s in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in pulmonary function indicators between the two groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion Vibratory positive expiratory pressure training combined with nebulized inhalation can effectively promote the clearance of airway secretions, improve dyspnea and oxygenation status, and enhance the degree of improvement in exercise tolerance in patients with AECOPD.