Inhalation and respiratory therapy – assistive devices for cystic fibrosis: What can you use at what age?

Inhalation therapy and respiratory physiotherapy are part and parcel of daily life for most children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Which devices are best suited depends on their age. An overview for parents is available here.

Inhalation therapy with a nebuliser is an integral part of daily life for most children with cystic fibrosis. They generally inhale a saline solution or hypertonic saline solution as well as bronchodilators and antibiotics. It is important to bear in mind that inhalation solutions and inhalation schedules depend on the individual treatment plan.

The following overview is a rough guide (please also seek advice from your doctor and physiotherapist).

• From the first month: eFlow®rapid with SMARTMASK Baby (babies from 2.5 kg) and BABY bend OR PARI BOY Junior with BABY mask and BABY bend for a comfortable and effective therapy for the lungs for use sitting or lying down
• From the age of two years: eFlow®rapid with SMARTMASK Kids for example for inhalation of antibiotics for the lungs and shorter inhalation time – small, light, quiet, mobile
• From the age of three years: Switch from mask to mouthpiece for inhalation for the lungs in a sitting position

• PARI SINUS2 for the treatment of the sinuses and to fight bacterial colonisation of the upper airways (nose, sinuses and throat)

• PARI BOY Pro with PARI PEP S instead of the mouthpiece, to combine inhalation and physiotherapy and save time

As well as inhalation, children with cystic fibrosis often also have respiratory physiotherapy characterised by certain breathing techniques and mobilisation exercises. Very often, they use a breathing technique called “autogenic drainage” which aims to remove the secretions from the lungs as gently (without coughing) and effectively as possible. Respiratory assistive devices such as the PARI PEP systems can be helpful here, as they help remove the secretions more easily.

• PARI PEP S System under adult supervision
• PARI PEP S System with manometer under adult supervision

• PARI O-PEP under adult supervision

• PARI O-PEP for independent use

• PARI PEP S System for independent use
• PARI PEP S System with manometer for independent use

You may also be interested in

• A route to relief: Cystic fibrosis inhalation
• How parents handle the diagnosis: My child has cystic fibrosis

Note: The information in this blog post is not a treatment recommendation. The needs of patients vary greatly from person to person. The treatment approaches presented should be viewed only as examples. PARI recommends that patients always consult with their physician or physiotherapist first.