How to use the Acapella® Choice
Last edited: 17/09/2026
What is the Acapella® Choice?
The Acapella® Choice is part of a treatment programme used to help people who have difficulty clearing sputum
(phlegm or secretions) from their lungs.
The equipment consists of:
- a mouthpiece
- a cover
- a rocker assembly/platform base (counterweighted plug and magnet)
- a base unit with an adjustment dial.
How does the Acapella® Choice work?
When you breathe out through the Acapella® Choice, air flows through a counterweighted plug which helps keep your airways open. This allows air to move behind the sputum and helps move it upwards.
The magnet directs the air through a pivoting cone, creating vibrations that are transmitted to the chest wall. These vibrations help loosen sputum from the sides of your airways.
How to use 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.
You may wish to use your Salbutamol inhaler five to 10 minutes before clearing your airways.
- Treatment can be carried out whilst sitting or in a postural drainage position, where possible.
- Relax your stomach muscles and take a few normal breaths before using the Acapella® Choice.
- Take a deep breath in and hold for three seconds if able.
- Then blow out through the Acapella® Choice for about four seconds. You may feel vibrations in your chest wall.
- Repeat eight to 10 times, taking a few normal breaths between each deep breath.
- Following this, you should put down the Acapella® Choice and do huffing and coughing to clear any sputum. You should then have a period of relaxed breathing before continuing.
- Continue this cycle until your airways feel clear.
This cycle should continue for 10 to 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 the numbers one to five, the resistance becomes harder.
Risks of using the Acapella® Choice
As with all airway clearance devices, it is important that the equipment is kept clean to help prevent infection.
There have been no reported problems associated with using the Acapella® Choice or other airway clearance techniques.
However, if you are concerned about your chest, particularly if you become short of breath or if your symptoms worsen, such as increased sputum, cough, chest wall pain or fever, contact the Community Respiratory Team (CRT) on 01634 382860 Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 5pm, or call NHS 111 for advice.
Cleaning the Acapella® Choice
It is recommended that the Acapella® Choice is dismantled and cleaned after every use, or at least once a day.
- detach the mouthpiece by holding the main unit still and twisting the mouthpiece off
- remove the cover by placing your forefinger and thumb on the three lines near the mouthpiece, then gently squeezing and lifting it
- remove the cover from the hinges by gently pulling one hinge out slightly to release it
- gently remove the rocker assembly from the platform base
- wash the Acapella® Choice in warm soapy water
- rinse thoroughly with clean water
- shake off excess water and allow all parts to dry
- once a week, dismantle the Acapella® Choice into four parts and boil for 10 minutes to sterilise.
There are four parts to the device and it comes apart easily.
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This information should only be followed on the advice of a healthcare professional.
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