Wessex and Thames Valley Haemoglobinopathy Network
Adult Haemoglobinopathy service
S52
Page 1 of 4
November 2021
V.2.0
How to use an incentive spirometer
Authorised by: Sandy Hayes, ANP, Oxford
Review: November 2023
This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed
Patient information: Incentive spirometry
This leaflet explains what an Incentive spirometer is, how and when to use it.
What is an Incentive spirometer?
An Incentive spirometer is a medical device that is used to help deep breathing. It is
designed to help you take deep breaths to expand your lungs fully. Deep breathing
opens up the air sacs in the lungs and helps to reduce the chance of developing an
infection or acute chest syndrome.
The Incentive spirometer has
three balls of different weights in
individual chambers and a tube
(a long straw) with a mouthpiece
There are different models
available, this is the one used at
OUH.
Why is it important to use an Incentive spirometer?
Sickle cell crisis pain and pain medicines such as morphine, can cause shallow
breathing. Shallow breathing can put you at risk of developing a chest infection or a
chest crisis (acute chest syndrome) because you are not expanding your lungs fully.
Using an Incentive spirometer has been shown to reduce this risk.
When should I use an Incentive spirometer?
We suggest you use an Incentive spirometer when crisis pain begins, particularly if
the pain is in your chest, back or shoulders. However, any severe pain can cause
people to shorten their breaths and breath more shallowly. Sometimes we may also
suggest you use the Incentive spirometer before and after you have had an
operation.
