Laboratory Evaluation of Four Different Devices for Secretion Mobilization: Acapella Choice, Green and Blue Versus Water Bottle

Müller, Gabi; Bersch-Porada, Ines; Koch-Borner, Sabrina; Raab, Anja; Jonker, Marga; Baumberger, Michael; Michel, Franz (2014). Laboratory Evaluation of Four Different Devices for Secretion Mobilization: Acapella Choice, Green and Blue Versus Water Bottle Respiratory Care, 59(5), pp. 673-677. American Association for Respiratory Care 10.4187/respcare.02654

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BACKGROUND: Secretion removal is a key issue in patients with respiratory diseases, and is known to be most effective at vibration frequencies of 13 Hz and with the greatest amplitudes possible. The Acapella devices and the water bottle are used for secretion removal in daily clinical practice but without detailed knowledge on optimal settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 3 different Acapella devices and the water bottle at various settings and flows to determine the optimal devices and settings for effective secretion removal. METHODS: Three different Acapella devices were tested at flows of 6, 12, 20, 30, 40, and 50 L/min, and at all 5 settings. The water bottle was filled with 5, 10, or 15 cm of water, and tested at flows of 3, 6, 10, 12, and 20 L/min. For all devices and combinations of settings, we measured the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations, as well as the required pressure to generate vibrations. RESULTS: Setting 4 was the best for all 3 Acapella devices, and the filling height of the water bottle should be 5 cm. At these settings, all devices elicited vibration frequencies between 12 and 15 Hz, which is theoretically optimal for secretion mobilization. The resistance pressures of the devices to elicit these vibrations were between 5 and 11 cm H2O. However, the Acapella devices elicit higher vibration amplitudes (5– 8 cm H2O) than the water bottle (1.8 cm H2O) CONCLUSIONS: Setting 4 was optimal for all 3 Acapella devices. The Acapella devices may be more efficient for secretion mobilization than the water bottle, because they elicit greater amplitude of vibrations. Key words: airway clearance therapy; bronchial clearance; chest physiotherapy; evaluation of devices; mucus; oscillating positive expiratory pressure; respiratory secretions

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Health Professions
Name:	Müller, Gabi; Bersch-Porada, Ines; Koch-Borner, Sabrina; Raab, Anja0000-0002-4139-2173; Jonker, Marga; Baumberger, Michael and Michel, Franz
Subjects:	R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
ISSN:	0020-1324
Publisher:	American Association for Respiratory Care
Language:	English
Submitter:	Anja Raab
Date Deposited:	16 Nov 2020 16:21
Last Modified:	16 Nov 2020 16:21
Publisher DOI:	10.4187/respcare.02654
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.13137
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/13137