Sputum Clearance Active Cycle of Breathing Technique

Sputum Clearance Active Cycle of Breathing Technique

What is the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT)? The Active Cycle of Breathing technique is a set of breathing exercises that can be used to help you clear phlegm (sputum) from your chest. Coughing alone can be tiring and ineffective. The Active Cycle of Breathing Technique is designed to: Loosen and clear secretions Help you breathe more easily Improve the efficiency of your cough Reduce the risk of chest infection In what position should I practise this breathing technique? You can use this method of breathing in whatever position you find is most comfortable, or seems to clear most secretions. Make sure the position you use is comfortable and has your head, neck and arms well supported, with your shoulders relaxed down. Your physiotherapist may advise you of specific postural drainage positions to try. How often do I need to do the ACBT? Clearing your chest should be done often enough to keep it reasonably clear between breathing exercises. Use the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique instead of just coughing when you feel you have secretions to clear from your chest. When you are well you may only need to complete the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique once or twice a day. If you have an infection you may need to do the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique several times a day to clear secretions.

Stages of Cycle Breathing Control: Breathing control is the part of the cycle to allow you to rest and relax your airways between the deep breathing and huffing. Rest one hand on your tummy and allow your hand to gently rise when you breathe in and fall when you breathe out. Breathe gently in through your nose if you can. If you cannot, breathe through your mouth instead. The breath out should be slow, like a sigh. Try to let go of any tension in your body with each breathe out. Try closing your eyes to help you focus on your breathing and relax. Breathing control can also help when you are short of breath, anxious or in a panic. Deep Breathing Exercises Deep breathing is used to get the air in your lungs behind the secretions stuck in your small airways. Take a long, slow, deep breath in, through your nose if comfortable, if not through your mouth. Breathe out gently and slowly through your mouth. Some people find it helpful to hold their breath for 2-3 seconds at the end of each breath in, before breathing out or to sniff air in through your nose quickly at the end of the deep breath in. Try the deep breathing exercise with or without the sniff or breath hold to see which works best for you. Once you have completed the deep breathing exercises go back to breathing control again to ensure your airways are relaxed.

Huffing Huffing helps to move secretions up your airways by making it rattle. Take a medium sized breathe in. Breathe out quickly with your mouth wide open, as through you are steaming up a mirror. Your tummy muscles should tighten when huffing. Repeat 2-3 times with breathing control in between each huff. If you are wheezing with each huff you may be huffing too hard or for too long. When should I cough? If huffing clears your secretions you should not need to cough. You should only cough if your secretions can be cleared easily. Return to the start of the cycle and begin again if you lungs do not feel clear of secretions. Ensure you rest when you have completed 3-4 cycles before beginning again. How long should I do Active Cycle of Breathing Technique for? You should aim to continue the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique exercises for 10 minutes and ideally till your chest feels clear of secretions. (20 minutes is usually long enough for any one treatment). It is important to fit your breathing exercises around your life and daily routine, so that you are able to do them regularly.

The Active Cycle of BreathingTechnique Breathing control Cough (if neeed) Deep Breathing (3-4 Breaths) 2 or 3 Huffs Breathing Control Breathing Control Deep Breathing (3-4 Breaths) Your ACBT Guidance: When: How Long: How:

Other things which may be helpful? If you use a bronchodilator/inhaler medication you may find doing the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique 15-20 minutes after you take them useful. Make sure you drink plenty, as this can make your secretions looser and easier to cough up. Always clear your chest in the morning and before you go to bed. Try to avoid doing the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique straight after a meal. If your secretions change colour take a sample to your doctors. Please note this patient information leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is not provided to replace professional clinical advice from a qualified practitioner. After reading this leaflet if there are any questions you would like to ask please list them below and ask a health care professional, involved in your care. Physiotherapy Dept. Royal Blackburn Hospital Tel: 01254735091 Physiotherapy Dept. Burnley General Hospital Tel: 01282804110 Pulmonary Rehab Team, St Peters Centre, Burnley Tel: 01282805514 Physiotherapy Dept. Accrington Victoria Hospital Tel: 01254359061 Physiotherapy Dept. Rossendale Primary Care Centre Tel: 01706253607 Physiotherapy Dept. Pendle Community Hospital Tel: 01282804983 Physiotherapy Dept. St Peters Centre Tel: 01282644086 Author: Physiotherapy Date of issue: November 2015 Revision date: October 2017 Version: 3 Document ID No: PHYSIO 003 SputumClearanceACBT November 2015