RT’s Three Key Takeaways:

  1. Reduced Exacerbation Risk: Clinical studies indicate that using the Aerobika oscillating positive expiratory pressure device can reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease flare-ups by 28% within 30 days of use.
  2. Healthcare Cost Savings: The mean per patient cost of moderate-to-severe exacerbations was more than 50% lower for those using the device compared to control groups.
  3. Drug-Free Secretion Clearance: The device uses a pressure-oscillation mechanism to thin and loosen mucus, assisting patients with conditions like cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis in clearing their airways naturally.


The Aerobika oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device from Monaghan Medical Corp provides a drug-free method for airway clearance that reduces chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, according to data from the manufacturer. The handheld tool creates positive pressure and vibrations during exhalation to help patients move mucus to the upper airways where it can be coughed out.

In a real-world study of 30-day exacerbation outcomes, patients using the Aerobika OPEP saw a 28% reduction in moderate-to-severe flare-ups compared to a control group. Only 18.5% of subjects using the device experienced an exacerbation within 30 days, while 25.7% of the control group required medical intervention for flare-ups, according to the study.

The study also highlighted a reduction in healthcare spending. The mean per patient cost of moderate-to-severe exacerbations for the group using the device was $2,975, compared to $6,065 for the control group. Additionally, the device has been shown to reduce the use of oral corticosteroids and antibiotics, according to clinical evidence provided by the company.

The device is designed to manage various respiratory conditions, including bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis. “In my experience, patients with COPD and complaints of secretions difficult to cough up, have benefited from using Aerobika and it has improved their quality of life,” said a physician in Quebec, in a news release.

The OPEP tool can be used as a standalone therapy or combined with a small volume nebulizer with a 22 mm adapter, such as the AeroEclipse XL BAN, when advised by a healthcare professional. Using the device before medication may result in clearer airways and better drug deposition, according to the manufacturer.

For effective results, the manufacturer recommends using the device at least twice daily for 10 to 20 minutes. The tool is dishwasher safe and should be replaced every 12 months. The device is not recommended for patients with certain conditions, including intracranial pressure greater than 20 mm Hg, hemodynamic instability, or recent esophageal surgery, according to the product’s contraindications.


Sources

  1. https://respiratory-therapy.com/products-treatment/monitoring-treatment/therapy-devices/products-2025-aerosol-delivery/
  2. https://www.trudellmed.com/global/en/products/aerobika-opep-device