RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Laboratory Evaluation of Four Different Devices for Secretion Mobilization: Acapella Choice, Green and Blue Versus Water Bottle JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP 673 OP 677 DO 10.4187/respcare.02654 VO 59 IS 5 A1 Gabi Mueller A1 Ines Bersch-Porada A1 Sabrina Koch-Borner A1 Anja M Raab A1 Marga Jonker A1 Michael Baumberger A1 Franz Michel YR 2014 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/59/5/673.abstract AB BACKGROUND: Secretion removal is a key issue in patients with respiratory diseases, and is known to be most effective at vibration frequencies of ∼13 Hz and with the greatest amplitudes possible. The Acapella devices and the water bottle are used for secretion removal in daily clinical practice but without detailed knowledge on optimal settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 3 different Acapella devices and the water bottle at various settings and flows to determine the optimal devices and settings for effective secretion removal. METHODS: Three different Acapella devices were tested at flows of 6, 12, 20, 30, 40, and 50 L/min, and at all 5 settings. The water bottle was filled with 5, 10, or 15 cm of water, and tested at flows of 3, 6, 10, 12, and 20 L/min. For all devices and combinations of settings, we measured the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations, as well as the required pressure to generate vibrations. RESULTS: Setting 4 was the best for all 3 Acapella devices, and the filling height of the water bottle should be 5 cm. At these settings, all devices elicited vibration frequencies between 12 and 15 Hz, which is theoretically optimal for secretion mobilization. The resistance pressures of the devices to elicit these vibrations were between 5 and 11 cm H2O. However, the Acapella devices elicit higher vibration amplitudes (5–8 cm H2O) than the water bottle (1.8 cm H2O) CONCLUSIONS: Setting 4 was optimal for all 3 Acapella devices. The Acapella devices may be more efficient for secretion mobilization than the water bottle, because they elicit greater amplitude of vibrations.