Play-based Spirometry

Spirometry measures how much air a child can breathe out and how fast. For younger children the test is run as a game — blowing out candles on a screen or making an animation move — so that the measurements are accurate and the visit is not stressful. At Allergy Asthma Foundation it is carried out by an experienced team using current equipment and protocols, with clear information given before, during and after so that you know what to expect at every stage.

This page explains why the procedure is done, how to prepare, what happens on the day, and what recovery and follow-up involve. Your own consultant will go through the details that apply to your situation and answer any questions before you agree to go ahead.

Why it is done

Play-based spirometry is usually recommended for one or more of the following reasons:

• Diagnosing asthma and grading how well controlled it is
• Finding out why a child has a long-standing cough or wheeze
• Checking breathing before and after a reliever inhaler
• Monitoring a known lung condition over time
• Assessing exercise-related breathing symptoms

It is only offered when the expected benefit clearly outweighs the risks, and the decision is always made together with you. If a simpler test or treatment would answer the question or relieve the problem, that is tried first.

How to prepare

• Bring a list of your current medicines and any earlier results for the same test.
• Ask the team whether any medicine needs to be paused beforehand — for some tests, antihistamines or inhalers are held for a short, specified time.
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
• Avoid a heavy meal, vigorous exercise and strong coffee in the hour before the test.
• Allow a little extra time; the appointment includes explanation and practice, not only the measurement itself.

What happens on the day

1. The technician explains the game and lets your child practise a few times.
2. Your child takes a full breath in and blows out hard and long into a mouthpiece, with a soft clip on the nose.
3. Several attempts are made until two or three are consistent.
4. The test may be repeated about fifteen minutes after a dose of reliever inhaler.
5. The best efforts are recorded and compared with values for your child's height, age and sex.

After the procedure

The test is effort-based but harmless, and your child can go straight back to school or play. Bring the inhalers your child uses; the team will advise in advance whether any should be held before the test.

You will be given written instructions covering activity, wound or puncture-site care where relevant, which medicines to restart and when, and the warning signs that mean you should contact us or attend the emergency department. A follow-up appointment or a phone review is arranged before you leave.

Benefits and risks

The main benefit is a clear answer or effective treatment that changes what happens next — a firm diagnosis, a blocked passage reopened, symptoms brought under control, or a condition safely monitored over time. For most people the procedure is straightforward and complications are uncommon.

No procedure is entirely without risk. The ones to be aware of for this treatment include:

• Brief dizziness or a cough from the forced breathing out
• An accurate result depends on effort, so very young or unwell children may need to return
• No lasting effects

The team is trained and equipped to recognise and manage these, and the consent discussion covers how likely each is in your case and what is done to reduce it.

Results and follow-up

The specialist can usually talk you through the result at the same visit, alongside your child's symptoms and examination, and adjust the asthma plan there and then. Your consultant explains what the result means in the context of your symptoms and examination, and sets out the next step — reassurance and discharge, a change of treatment, a further test, or a planned review. With your consent a summary is sent to your family doctor so that everyone caring for you is working from the same plan.

Questions patients ask

Do I need a referral?

You can book a consultation directly to discuss whether play-based spirometry is right for you. The procedure itself is arranged by the consultant after that discussion, once you have had time to consider it.

Will it hurt?

Discomfort is kept to a minimum with local anaesthetic, sedation or pain relief as appropriate to the procedure. The team will tell you exactly what you are likely to feel and will stop or pause if you need them to.

How long will I be at the hospital?

Most people are in and out within a few hours; where an overnight stay or a longer recovery is expected, that is explained clearly when the procedure is booked so you can plan around it.

To arrange play-based spirometry at your nearest AAF centre, book a consultation online or request a callback. Please bring a list of your current medicines and any previous test results or discharge summaries.