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Breathing Control
Deep Breathing Exercises or Thoracic Expansion Exercises
Huffing or Forced Expiratory Technique (FET) [4]
Additionally, a manual technique (MT) or positive pressure can be added if and when
indicated, to create a more complex cycle to help improve removal of secretions on
the lungs. this may include percussion or expiratory vibrations.
Breathing control is used to relax the airways and relieve the symptoms of wheezing
and tightness which normally occur after coughing or breathlessness[6]. Encouraging
the patient to close their eyes while performing breathing control can also be
beneficial in helping to promote relaxation. It is very important to use breathing
control in between the more active exercises of ACBT as it allows for relaxation of
the airways[7].
Breathing Control can also help when one is experiencing shortness of breath, fear,
signs of bronchospasm, anxiety or is in a panic. The length of time spent
performing breathing control may vary depending on how breathless the patient
feels.
When using this technique with a patient as part of the ACBT, the patient may be
instructed to usually take 6 breaths.
Instructions to patient:
Breathe in and out gently through your nose if you can. If you cannot, breathe
through your mouth instead(patient breathe according to his own rate)
If you breathe out through your mouth, it's best to use breathing control with
‘pursed lips breathing’.
Try to let go of any tension in your body with each breath out and keep your
shoulders relaxed.
Gradually try to make the breaths slower.
Try closing your eyes to help you to focus on your breathing and to relax.
Breathing control should continue until the person feels ready to progress to
the other stages in the cycle [7][8].
Deep breathing/thoracic expansion exercises are deep breathing exercises that focus
on inspiration[8] and help to loosen secretions on the lungs [9].
Instructions to patient:
This helps to move secretions that are lower down in your airways.
Take a normal-sized breath in and then an active, long breath out until your lungs
feel quite empty. Imagine you are trying to steam up a mirror.
High Volume Huff
Take a deep breath in, open your mouth wide and huff out quickly.
Only perform 1-2 huffs together, as repeatedly huffing can make your chest tight.
Listen for crackles when you huff, If you can hear these, you may now need to cough
and clear secretions; try to spit them out into a tissue or a sputum bowl. Try to
avoid excessive coughing as this may reduce how effective the technique is and make
it excessively tiring.
Repeat the whole cycle for about 10 minutes or until the chest feels clearer[9].
Small long huffs move sputum from low down into chest whereas big short huffs moves
sputum from higher up into chest, so use this huff when it feels ready to come out,
but not before; huffs work via dynamic compression[7].
Active Cycle of Breathing Technique
Coughing
Coughing should be incorporated if huffing alone does not clear your sputum.
However, if it does clear your sputum, then you may not need to cough[10].
It is very important to avoid long bouts of coughing as these can be very tiring
and may make you feel breathless, or make your throat or chest sore or tight. You
should only cough if the sputum can be cleared easily, if not, return to the
beginning of the cycle[3].
[11]
Indications
Precaution
Contraindications
Positioning
ACBT can be performed in sitting or in a postural drainage position. Initially you
could start in a sitting position until you are comfortable and confident to try
different ones. Extensive evidence supports its effectiveness in sitting or gravity
assisted positions [7][9][14]. Although, the best position for you to do the ACBT
in will depend on your medical condition and how well it works for you. When in
sitting, maintain a good breathing pattern with relaxed shoulders and neck, back
supported as this promotes the function of diaphragm and decrease stress on
musculoskeletal. Whatever position you use make sure you are comfortable, well
supported and relaxed.
Duration for ACBT should be for about 10 minutes and ideally until your chest feels
clear of sputum.
You may need to do ACBT only once or twice a day when you are well. When you have
more sputum, you may need to do it more often. When you are unwell or have more
sputum, you may need to do shorter and/ or more frequent sessions[7][9].
[15]
Resources
www.brit-thoracic.org.uk
www.lunguk.org
www.bronchiectasis,com,au
www. bronchiectasis.com.au/
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