What is Active Cycle Breathing Technique
Active Cycle Breathing Technique (ACBT) is a technique used to help remove sputum from the respiratory tract. ACBT is a set of breathing exercises that function to reduce and clean our respiratory tract. After being taught to patients, ACBT can be done by patients independently without supervision from a physiotherapist.
Purpose of Active Cycle Breathing Technique
- Reduces and clears secretions from the lungs (this prevents the occurrence of
infection) - Improve lung ventilation
- Increase cough effectiveness
Active Cycle Breathing Technique Phase
ACBT has three main training phases:
– Breathing control
– Deep breathing exercise
– Huffing
Breathing Control
This exercise is used to relax the airways and reduce wheezing and stiffness after coughing. Breathing control is a transition exercise between active exercises of ACBT and is important to do in order to relax the airways. Breathing control can also help in conditions of rapid breathing, signs of bronchospasm, in conditions of anxiety or panic. Patients are generally asked to do 6 breathing controls.
Instructions to the patient are:
- Breathe slowly through the nose. If this is not possible, the patient can breathe through the mouth.
- If the patient exhales through the mouth, perform breathing control with “pursed lip breathing”
- Try to relax all the tension in your body while exhaling.
- Gradually try to take deeper breaths.
- Try closing your eyes so you can do more focused breathing control.
Deep Breathing Exercise
Deep breathing exercise is an exercise that focuses on breathing inspiration. This exercise helps in reducing the accumulation of secretions in the lungs.
Instructions to the patient are:
- Position your chest and shoulders as relaxed as possible.
- Take a deep breath through your nose slowly.
- Hold your breath for 2-3 seconds
- Hold your breath for 2-3 seconds. Exhale slowly and relaxed.
- Repeat 3 – 5 times
Huffing
This technique is a technique used to move secretions. Huffing is a technique for exhaling through the mouth forcefully without coughing. This technique helps move phlegm from the small airways to the larger airways so that the secretions can be expelled by coughing.
Terdapat 2 tipe huffing, yaitu :
Medium volume huff
This technique helps to remove secretions that are lower in the airway. Breathe in normally, then exhale as much as possible until the lungs feel empty.
High volume huff
This technique helps to mobilize secretions into the upper airway. Take a deep breath, open it smoothly and wide, and exhale quickly. Do 1-2 quick huffs in 1 breath. Repeat several times. Note whether there is a “crackle” sound when huffing. If so, cough to expel the secretions.
Also read: Tuberkulosis Paru – Penatalaksanaan Fisioterapi
Reference :
- Faye Underwood. Physiopedia. Active Cycle of Breathing Technique. diakses melalui https://www.physio-pedia.com/Active_Cycle_of_Breathing_Technique pada 1 Februari2024
- Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care. The Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques. diakses melalui https://www.acprc.org.uk/Data/Publication_Downloads/GL-05ACBT.pdf pada 1 Februari 2024
- Oxford University Hospital. The Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques. diakses melalui https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/11659Pbreathing.pdf pada 1 Februari 2024
