Aerobika®
Date issued: July 2026
Review date: July 2028
Leaflet section: Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy
The Aerobika® device is designed to help with airway clearance. It has both resistive and vibratory features. These components create some back pressure in your lungs helping them stay open and loosen, mobilise and clear sputum (phlegm) from your chest. Your physiotherapist will discuss and adjust the resistance with you to ensure that you can use the device well making your airway clearance routine more effective.
Using your Aerobika® regularly may help to:
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reduce your need to cough throughout the day
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improve any feelings of breathlessness
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help reduce the number of chest infections
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reduce any further damage to your lungs
How do I use the Aerobika®?
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Get into a comfortable position, with your shoulders and arms relaxed. **The Aerobika® can be used in different positions, your physiotherapist will discuss this with you.
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Place the Aerobika® mouthpiece in your mouth and ensure you have a tight seal around it with your lips.
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Breathe in slowly through your nose and slightly deeper than normal.
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Breathe out through the Aerobika® at a steady rate. Try to keep your cheeks still to maximise the vibrations felt in your lungs.
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Repeat these breaths in and out through the Aerobika® 5 - 10 times or as advised by your physiotherapist. Try to resist the urge to cough at this stage where possible.
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Finish this cycle by taking a deep breath in through your nose, create an ‘O’ shape with your mouth and huff the air out as though you are trying to steam up a mirror. Ideally you should perform 1-2 huffs as described to mobilise sputum and stimulate a cough.
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Repeat the above steps as directed by your physiotherapist.
How often?
Your physiotherapist will advise you on how many sessions you should do a day. This will depend on how much sputum you usually produce.
During an exacerbation (a worsening of your symptoms) you may need to increase the number of times you need to clear your airways
Keeping your Aerobika® clean
It is important to keep your device clean to avoid bacteria growing on it which may cause more infections. The Aerobika® is made up of 4 parts. Your physiotherapist will demonstrate how to disassemble the device for cleaning.
It is advisable to clean your Aerobika® daily in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and allow it to air dry. You can also place it on the top shelf of a dishwasher in a contained basket and clean under a normal cycle.
You should also disinfect your Aerobika® at least once a week by disassembling and either:
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Boil in a pan of water for 5 minutes
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Use a steam steriliser (Do not microwave due to metal components!)
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Soak in sterilising solution as per brand used recommendations
Ensure all parts are fully dry before reassembling.
Other formats
If you need this leaflet in another format such as Braille, large print, high contrast, British Sign Language or translated into another language, contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):
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01752 439694
