This study examines the blood pressure responses of apparently healthy subjects to two postural drainage positions and percussion. Forty-one subjects (29 males and 12females ) participated in the study and were randomly assigned into four groups,  with  three  groups having JO subjects (7 males and 3 females ) each and the fourth group having 11 subjects (8 males and 3females). All of the subjects were allowed to rest for five minutes before taking part  in  the study. Thereafter. they assumed a suP'"ie (lying) position for JO minutes and then cha 1ged  to a level or a head-down, side-lying pl sition  for another J O minutes. Their blood presrnres were then taken at the first. fifth and tenth minutes.  Two of thefour groups received percussion while in the selected  positions. The systolic blood pressure (SEP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduced significantly when the subjects changed from a suptne (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 of the subjects.

 

Key words: posrural drainage, percussion, blood pressure