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Fet
Fet
FET
A huff (also called the forced expiration technique [FET] when combined with
breathing control) is a manoeuvre used to move secretions, mobilised by thoracic
expansion exercises, downstream towards the mouth.
It can be used as a stand-alone technique but should always be included in any
airway clearance routine.
first described in 1968 by Thompson and Thompson, a New Zealand physician
and therapist team working with patients with asthma. They described the use of
1 or 2 huffs from middle to low lung volumes, with the glottis open, preceded and
followed by a period of relaxed, controlled diaphragmatic breathing, with slow
deep breaths. Secretions mobilized from the lower to upper airways were
expectorated, and the process was repeated
FET
A modification of the normal directed cough. FET, or huff cough, consists of one or two forced
expirations of middle to low lung volume without closure of the glottis, followed by a period of
diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation.
The goal of this method is to help clear secretions with less change in pleural pressure and
To help keep the glottis open during FET, the patient is taught to phonate or huff during
expiration. The period of diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation following the forced expiration
is essential in restoring lung volume and minimizing fatigue.
Benefits of FET
The forced expiratory technique is also the method of choice for secretion removal in
patients who have a head injury as it has less effect on the pressures within the skull
than coughing.
1. Take 35 slow deep breaths, inhaling through the nose, exhaling through pursed lips,
using diaphragmatic breathing.
peripheral airways).
4. Take a normal breath in and then squeeze it out by contracting the abdominal and chest
wall muscles, with the mouth and glottis open, while whispering the word huff (sounds
like a forced sigh) during exhalation. Repeat several times.
5. As secretions enter the larger airways, exhale from high-to-mid lung volume to clear
secretions from more proximal airways. Repeat maneuver 23 times.
6. Take several relaxed diaphragmatic breaths before the next cough effort.