Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to medical devices.
AirPhysio, short for Airway Physiotherapy, is a brand that claims to help people "naturally improve your breathing." The brand manufactures a medical device that they claim can help treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by expanding the lungs.
But how does AirPhysio actually work? Are there any side effects or risks associated with its use? Is AirPhysio better than other airway expansion devices? And why do we take issue with some of the claims on the brand's website?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we explain how AirPhysio works, and review research studies to give our take on whether or not it's likely to be effective.
We'll also discuss the risk of side effects, highlight some questionable claims on the brand's website, and provide our overall take on whether or not AirPhysio is worth it.
Key takeaways:
- We can't find any clinical trials on AirPhysio
- Unsupported medical treatment claims on brand's website
- We do not currently recommend AirPhysio
How Does AirPhysio Work?
AirPhysio is a oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device, which is a type of medical device that's used to improve airway function and has been tested in clinical studies.
A 2022 medical review on non-pharmaceutical treatments for airway clearance detailed how OPEP devices can clear mucus from the airway through targeted pressure changes.
The only device that appears clinically proven to increase airway volume, according to the above-linked review, is the VersaPAP.
Both asthma and COPD can cause increased mucus in the lungs, so the AirPhysio may help to treat these conditions because of its potential impact on mucus function rather than lung expansion.
We cannot find any clinical trials proving the AirPhysio to be effective, and the brand doesn't appear to cite any on their website, so we recommend consumers be wary of using this device without approval from a doctor.
A 15-second video published by the brand visually explains how the device is proposed to work:
Does AirPhysio Cause Side Effects?
Because OPEP devices use mechanical methods to clear the airway rather than chemical methods, they tend to be relatively safe.
A medical study on the safety of OPEP devices, published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease highlighted how the devices “have low safety risks compared to pharmacologic therapies.”
This seems to be a major benefit of OPEP devices, because even asthma inhalers can cause side effects, and corticosteroid inhalers are clinically shown to cause severe side effects in some patients such as adrenal suppression and bone loss.
Overall, we do not consider AirPhysio likely to cause side effects in healthy adults.
Questionable Claims on AirPhysio Site
There are a number of uncited and questionable health claims on the AirPhysio website.
As shown below, the brand markets their product as a treatment for specific disease states:
However, the brand fails to publish or even cite any evidence proving their device is effective for the treatment of these conditions.
AirPhysio also makes specific health claims about their device, such as the claim that it can cause mucus clearance:
Again the brand fails to provide evidence supporting this claim.
Just because the class of medical devices that AirPhysio is a member of is clinically shown to be effective, does not necessarily mean that the AirPhysio device will be effective.
We recommend that consumers be wary of brands making specific health claims without supporting evidence. It's a red flag of a brand's quality.
Our Take: Is AirPhysio Worth It?
While OPEP devices generally seem like a safe and effective way to manage asthma and COPD effects, we would recommend that patients speak to their doctor about VersaPAP rather than AirPhysio.
As referenced in the section on device efficacy, the VersaPAP was the only device shown in the previously-linked medical review of OPEP devices to create airway expansion. This furthers clearance of mucus, causes lung expansion and can relieve symptoms.
We haven't come across any clinical evidence that AirPhysio is effective, so even though it seems unlikely to cause any side effects, it doesn't seem like a logical purchase in our opinion.
AirPhysio Pros and Cons
Pros:
- May reduce airway mucus
- May be beneficial for cold symptom relief
- Unlikely to cause side effects
Cons:
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested
- Questionable health claims on brand's website
- May be less effective than VersaPAP
