What it is
The Aerobika is an oscillating PEP (OPEP) device. As you breathe out through it, the pressure inside holds your airways open while rapid pulses of pressure shake mucus off the airway walls and move it up towards your throat, where a huff can clear it.
It has five resistance settings, so your physiotherapist can match it to how strongly you can breathe out and change it as you improve.
Who it's for
- COPD and chronic bronchitis.
- Bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis.
- Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease.
- Anyone who gets repeated chest infections or struggles to clear sputum.
How to use it
Check the resistance indicator is on the setting your physiotherapist gave you, and sit comfortably upright.
- Seal your lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Keep your hand clear of the exhalation holes so the air can escape.
- Breathe in through the device, taking a deeper breath than normal, but without completely filling your lungs.
- Hold your breath for about 3 seconds.
- Breathe out through the device actively, but not forcefully, for at least three times as long as it took you to breathe in. Keep your cheeks flat and firm rather than puffing them out. Monaghan describes the effort as similar to starting to blow up a balloon, not blowing out candles.
- Keep going for 10 to 20 breaths, holding off coughing until the end of the set.
- Finish the set with 2 to 3 huffs. Short breath out, mouth in an "O" shape, as if fogging a mirror. Cough out any mucus that has come up.
- Repeat the cycle for 10 to 20 minutes in total, or for as long as your physiotherapist has advised.
Choosing a setting
- There are five settings. Move the indicator towards "+" for more resistance and "−" for less.
- Your physiotherapist will set your starting resistance. Higher does not mean better, and the aim is a setting you can sustain comfortably for the whole exhalation.
- If you can’t keep the exhalation going for three times your breath in, the setting is probably too high.
Cleaning & care
After each use
- Take the device apart into its four pieces.
- Soak them for about 15 minutes in warm water with a mild dishwashing detergent, gently swirling them around.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Shake off the water and stand the parts up to air dry completely before reassembling.
- If you have the manometer (pressure gauge) attached, take it off first and wipe it only: don’t soak it.
Weekly deep clean
- Disinfect using one of Monaghan’s methods: boil in water for 5 to 15 minutes, soak in 70% isopropyl alcohol for 5 minutes, or soak in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes.
- Rinse well afterwards and let everything dry fully.
- Once a month, you can also soak the parts in a mix of one cup of vinegar to one cup of water for an hour, then wash as usual.
- Dishwasher alternative: put the disassembled parts in a basket on the top rack, normal cycle with detergent, and skip the heated drying cycle.
Avoid: soaking the manometer, and using the dishwasher’s hot drying cycle.
When to replace it
Monaghan recommends replacing the Aerobika after 12 months of use, or sooner if it’s damaged or stops feeling like it’s working properly.
Things to be careful about
- Not suitable if you have an untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung), a perforated eardrum or middle ear problem, or are coughing up blood.
- Tell us first if you have had recent facial, mouth, skull or oesophageal surgery, or an injury to the face.
- Monaghan does not recommend using the Aerobika with a mask, as it can make the treatment less effective.
- Stop and contact us if it makes you feel dizzy, sick or more breathless.
Sources: Monaghan Medical Aerobika OPEP · Monaghan device cleaning & care · Aerobika instructions for use (Australian distributor). Instructions are summarised from the manufacturer and may change; always keep the leaflet that comes with your device.