An incentive spirometer can improve lung function which increases the amount of oxygen breathed in and ends up in the body. the device also helps benefit by clearing mucus from the lungs.
Training with a spirometer can help patients learn to take slow, deep breaths instead of short, shallow breaths. Taking deeper breaths will help prevent lung illness.
What does an Incentive Spirometer do?
An incentive spirometer is a device that measures the volume of the air inhaled into the lungs during inspiration. When breathing in through an incentive spirometer, a piston rises inside the device and measures the volume of the inspired air. Breathing in slowly is important with spirometer use as it allows the lungs to stretch and opens the airways, which is intended to imitate the deep breathing seen in yawning or sighing.
Who will benefit from training with an Incentive Spirometer?
Patients with neuromuscular disease or spinal cord injury: Cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord injury cause impairments in respiratory muscle performance, leading to pulmonary dysfunction and making deep breathing difficult for affected individuals. (Franklin 2022)
Rib fractures: Several complications can follow rib fracture, including hemothorax, pneumothorax, lung contusion, atelectasis, respiratory failure, flail chest, and even death. Patients suffering from rib fractures frequently complain of chest pain, which can be caused by obstruction of the lower airway or damaged lung hygiene. This can lead to atelectasis and hypoventilation. Atelectasis is the most common complication following rib fractures. Incentive spirometry has been shown to decrease pulmonary complications in patients with rib fractures and improve pulmonary function. (Franklin 2022)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD is a common, preventable lung disease characterized by progressive difficulty with breathing, often with systemic manifestations, in response to tobacco smoke and/or other harmful exposures to the lungs. The reported benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation on COPD exacerbations have been mixed, but the balance of evidence supports its use. Pulmonary rehabilitation may reduce future COPD exacerbations by targeting risk factors that may cause readmission to the hospital, such as physical inactivity, reduced activity tolerance, impaired physical function, desensitization to shortness of breath, anxiety, and depression. Short-term inspiratory muscle training and incentive spirometer use have beneficial effects on exercise capacity and exertional dyspnea in patients with COPD. (Franklin 2022)
Parkinson’s disease: Respiratory dysfunction is not a well-known feature of Parkinson’s disease. Inspiratory muscle weakness may be present early in the course of the disease. In the more advanced stages, limited chest mobility, poor posture, and lung expansion contribute to less effective coughing. This could lead to the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia, which is among the highest risk factors for mortality for patients in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease. Inspiratory muscle training can be helpful when people with Parkinson’s disease are experiencing respiratory dysfunction. (Franklin 2022)
Mild to moderate asthma: Breathing exercises may positively affect the quality of life, hyperventilation symptoms, and lung function in adults with mild to moderate asthma. (Franklin 2022)
Cystic Fibrosis: The incentive spirometer may aid airway clearance and improve lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis. (Franklin 2022)
COVID-19: Pulmonary rehabilitation, including inspiratory muscle training, is indicated in patients with mild to severe COVID-19 symptoms, including pneumonia and difficulties with secretion clearance. Training of inspiratory musculature also has significant benefits in patients who have been treated with mechanical ventilation. In patients with a dry, nonproductive cough, fever, and/or demonstrate no changes in thorax radiography, breathing techniques are not indicated. (Franklin 2022)
Multiple Sclerosis: Resistive inspiratory muscle training may effectively improve maximal inspiratory pressure in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis. (Franklin 2022)
Contradictions
There is no contraindication known for incentive spirometry. The following conditions are considered a need for caution when performing inspiratory muscle training: the presence of a respiratory tract infection, hemoptysis of unknown origin, pneumothorax, uncontrolled hypertension, aneurysm, recent thoracic, abdominal, or eye surgery, nausea, vomiting or pain, and confusion or dementia. (Franklin 2022)
Instructions
- Connect the tube and mouthpiece to the bottom of the device
- Set volume to the suggestive target capacity based on sex/height/age
- Hold the incentive spirometer in an upright position with tubing towards you
- Exhale completely and place the mouthpiece in your mouth creating an airtight seal
- inhale as deeply as possible while keeping the ball in the “Good” region
- At end of each inspiratory effort, hold your breath for up to 6 seconds prior to inhaling
- Repeat up to 10 times per hour
- *At the end of each training, it may benefit to cough to remove/loosen mucus within the lungs
Purchase
Amazon has many different types and styles to fit your needs (Affiliate Link)
Suggestive Target Incentive Capacity
Download User Progression Record Chart with Directions
Record form for keeping track of progress with the incentive spirometer. It is recommended to complete 3 sets with 10 reps for 30 total breaths, and complete incentive spirometer training for 4 weeks. Please consult a medical professional for further information.
References
Franklin E, Anjum F. Incentive Spirometer and Inspiratory Muscle Training. [Updated 2022 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572114/
Dulciane Nunes Paiva, Laíse Bender Assmann, Diogo Fanfa Bordin, Ricardo Gass, Renan Trevisan Jost, Mario Bernardo-Filho, Rodrigo Alves França, Dannuey Machado Cardoso. Inspiratory muscle training with threshold or incentive spirometry: Which is the most effective? (March 2015).DOI: 10.1016/j.rppnen.2014.05.005. Available from: https://www.journalpulmonology.org/pt-inspiratory-muscle-training-with-threshold-articulo-X0873215915933068
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