Chronic respiratory disease
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Acapella versus 'usual airway clearance' during acute exacerbation in bronchiectasis: a randomized crossover trial.
Devices such as the Acapella may facilitate independent airway clearance, however, few clinical trials have investigated the efficacy of Acapella. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Acapella to 'usual airway clearance' in adults during an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis requiring oral antibiotic therapy. Twenty patients with bronchiectasis and an acute exacerbation requiring oral antibiotic therapy were recruited into a randomized crossover trial. ⋯ Mean duration of Acapella sessions was greater than usual airway clearance sessions and approached significance. There were no significant between group differences in changes in lung function. This study demonstrates that the Acapella device may offer an acceptable, user-friendly method of airway clearance in patients with bronchiectasis.