Frequencer by Dymedso

Question

The 26-year-old CF patient Louis Plante had to quit a concert due to extreme cough, after he stood near a loudspeaker. Afer this event, he developed a device, that induces low-frequet soundwaves for drainage of the airways. After 4 years of research and development, Dymedso brought the acustic airway-drainage device "Frequencer" on the market (www.dymedso.com), that assumingly reduces the viscosity of the sections of the airways and by this improves the transport of mucus.
My question: Is there any experience in Germany with the expensive device (12 000 Euros), has it been once tested in a CF center respectively how are the studies judged that are posted on the internet site? Are there other trials, to use sound waves or ultrasound waves for losenig the secretions? Even kidney stones are destroyed by sound waves!

Answer

Dear questioner,
You asked us, to give you some information about a device for clearance of the airways "Frequencer" and asked us for judging the effectiveness of the device concerning the mucolysis of CF patients (mobilisation of mucus from the lungs/bronchi via usage of low-frequent sound waves). After a literature research and advice from experienced physiotherapists for CF we can answer your question as follows:
The actually available studies are at the moment not sufficient for a recommendation of the therapeutical method and the device for the CF therapy in order to do mucolysis. The theoretical idea is possible, the scientific "state of evidence" is however only in so far sufficient, that the method can be judged to be a therapeutical trial with "unproven efficacy". That means, that possibly only after consens of the patient an individual therapeutical trial could be initiated. However, that the costs will be covered by the insurance cannot be expected (the acutal study data would not be sufficient either, to make a justification for the therapeutical use).
You asked the following questions:
- Is there any experience in Germany with the expensive device (12 000 Euros), has it been once tested in a CF center?
No, there are no experiences with the device that are known to us.
- How are the studies judged that are posted on the internet site?
Results from the studies are actually judged as a therapeutical trial with "unproven efficacy".
- Are there other trials, to use sound waves or ultrasound waves for losenig the secretions?
Due to positive experiences with drainage of secretios via breathing therapy, also via singing or playing blowing instrumets, this "breathing therapy" option can be recommended (and is done) for CF patients who are interested in music.

We hope to have helped you a bit with this answer and stay with our best regards,
Yours Dr. med. Christina Smaczny

04.06.2016