Acapella® Choice

The Acapella^® Choice is part of a treatment to help people who have difficulty clearing sputum (phlegm) from their lungs.

The equipment consists of a mouthpiece, cover, rocker assembly/platform base (counterweighted plug and magnet) and the base unit including the adjustment dial.

How does the Acapella^® Choice work?

When you breathe out through the Acapella^® Choice air flows through a counterweighted plug which will help keep your airways wide open to get air behind sputum to help move it upwards. 

The magnet directs the air through a pivoting cone generating vibrations that are transmitted to the chest wall to help loosen sputum from the sides of your airways.

Using the Acapella^® Choice

Your physiotherapist will show you how to use the Acapella^® Choice. This guide is a reminder for you. The Acapella^® Choice should be held in a horizontal position for treatment.

1. Treatment can be carried out in sitting or any postural drainage position (where possible).
2. Relax your stomach muscles and take a few normal breaths before using the Acapella^® Choice.
3. Close your lips around the mouthpiece of the Acapella^® Choice, making sure there is a good seal.
4. Take a slightly bigger breath in through your nose and then blow out through the Acapella^® Choice. You may feel vibrations on your chest wall.
5. Repeat eight to 10 times.
6. Following this you should put the Acapella^® Choice down and do huffing and coughing to clear any sputum. You should then have a period of relaxed breathing before continuing.

This cycle should continue for 10-20 minutes or until you have cleared all your sputum.

The pressure and flow can be made harder or easier by changing the position of the frequency adjustment dial. By rotating the dial clockwise through numbers one to five the resistance gets harder.

Risks of using the Acapella^® Choice

As with all airway clearance devices it is very important that equipment is kept clean to prevent infection. There have been no reported problems with the use of the Acapella^® Choice or any other airway clearance techniques. 

However, if you are worried about your child's chest, especially if they become short of breath, have chest pain or are coughing up blood, it is important that you contact the cystic fibrosis (CF) team at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) without delay.

Cleaning the Acapella^® Choice

It is recommended that the Acapella^® Choice is cleaned after each use and disassembled into its parts. 

1. Detach the mouthpiece and then the cover by placing your forefinger and thumb on the three lines allocated toward the mouthpiece and gently pressing and lifting up. 

2. Gently detach the rocker assembly from the platform base. 

3. Wash the Acapella^® Choice in warm soapy water and then rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow parts to air dry.

Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: October 2008 

Ref: 2008F0833 © GOSH Trust October 2008

Compiled by Physiotherapy Department in collaboration with the Child and Family Information Group.

This information does not constitute health or medical advice and will not necessarily reflect treatment at other hospitals. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.