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Analysis of institutional authors

Torres-Castro, RCorresponding Author

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April 5, 2022
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Therapeutic strategies to increase the effectiveness of cough

Publicated to:Revista Medica De Chile. 142 (2): 238-245 - 2014-02-01 142(2), DOI: 10.4067/S0034-98872014000200013

Authors: Torres-Castro, R; Monge, G; Vera, R; Puppo, H; Cespedes, J; Vilaro, J

Affiliations

Univ Chile, Fac Med, Escuela Kinesiol, Santiago, Chile - Author
Univ Ramon Llull, Grp Invest Fisioterapia GReFis, Fac Ciencias Salud Blanquerna, Barcelona, Spain - Author

Abstract

Cough is a natural reflex that protects respiratory airways against infections or mucus retention. Cough maintains an adequate cleaning of the airways and is a mainstay of respiratory therapy. It can be triggered voluntarily by the patient or by a specific cough device. Peak cough flow (PCF) is used to assess the effectiveness of the cough. When this value is below 160 L/min, cough is considered inefficient and becomes a risk factor for respiratory problems. Patients with weak cough, especially those with neuromuscular disease, have in common a low tidal volume and a decreased maximum insufflation capacity. Both factors directly affect the inspiratory phase previous to cough, which is considered vital to obtain the optimum flow for a productive cough. Different therapeutic measures may help to increase cough efficiency among patients with cough weakness. These interventions may be performed using manual techniques or by mechanical devices. The aim of this review is to analyze the different techniques available for cough assistance, set a hierarchy of use and establish a scientific basis for their application in clinical practice.

Keywords

Airway-clearanceAugmentationCoughFlowForced expiratory flow ratesInsufflation/exsufflationLung insufflationMechanical insufflation-exsufflationNeuromuscular diseasesPreventionPulmonary morbidityRespiratory muscle strengthVentilatory failure

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Revista Medica De Chile, and although the journal is classified in the quartile Q4 (Agencia WoS (JCR)), its regional focus and specialization in Medicine, General & Internal, give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 2.69, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-05, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 8

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-05:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 55.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 183 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Chile.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Torres Castro, Rodrigo Hernán) .

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Torres Castro, Rodrigo Hernán.