RT Book, Section A1 Hill, Nicholas S. A2 Tobin, Martin J. SR Print(0) ID 57066482 T1 Chapter 17. Noninvasive Respiratory AIDS: Rocking Bed, Pneumobelt, and Glossopharyngeal Breathing T2 Principles and Practice of Mechanical Ventilation, 3e YR 2013 FD 2013 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-173626-8 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57066482 RD 2024/10/14 AB The rocking bed and pneumobelt are noninvasive ventilators that were developed and saw their greatest use during the latter years of the polio epidemics but are used rarely today. They both rely on the effect of gravity to assist diaphragmatic motion and are particularly well suited to patients with severe diaphragmatic weakness or paralysis. Neither one should be used in the management of acute respiratory failure, and both have limited present-day applicability. Despite the similarities, there are also important differences, such as portability and suitability for nocturnal versus daytime use. This chapter reviews the historical development, mechanisms of action, and present-day uses of the rocking bed and pneumobelt. Glossopharyngeal breathing, another noninvasive approach to ventilator assistance, is discussed briefly at the end of the chapter.