Comparing Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBT) and Aerobika in Treating Bronchiectasis in Korea

Launched by CHUNGBUK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Jun 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two ways to help people with bronchiectasis, a lung condition that causes ongoing cough and mucus buildup. The researchers want to see if adding a small device called Aerobika, which helps clear mucus by creating gentle vibrations when you breathe out, works better than just using a breathing exercise technique called Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBT) alone. They hope the combination will reduce how often patients have flare-ups (called exacerbations) and improve symptoms like coughing and breathlessness.

The study will include adults who have bronchiectasis confirmed by a lung scan and who have had at least three flare-ups in the past year. Participants will be randomly assigned to either do the breathing exercises by themselves or use the exercises along with the Aerobika device every day for a year. They will visit the clinic several times during the study and have regular phone check-ins to track their symptoms, lung function, and any side effects. This trial is currently not recruiting but will take place in Korea, and it aims to find out if combining these treatments can better support people living with bronchiectasis.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 years of age or older
• • Patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis involving one or more lobes on chest computed tomography (CT)
• • Patients experiencing frequent exacerbations (3 or more exacerbations) within 1 year
• • Patients able and willing to use the Aerobika device (OPEP)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis
• • Traction bronchiectasis due to interstitial lung disease (ILD)
• • Pregnant patients
• • Patients with a history of OPEP device use
• • Patients who cannot tolerate increased breathing work
• • Hemodynamic instability (e.g., unstable blood pressure)
• • Patients with a past or current history of hemoptysis (pulmonary bleeding) and untreated pneumothorax