Measuring breathing volumes and patterns by OEP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study to measure respiratory function utilising Opto-electronic plethysmography (OEP).
IRAS ID
345841
Contact name
Lisa Edel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study looks to review respiratory function in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by utilising non invasive methods of testing.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a life-limiting condition, mostly affecting children, which weakens muscles, including those needed to move limbs, swallow, breathe and cough.
As a result of weakened muscle, mucus builds up in the child’s lungs, becoming thick and sticky, causing difficulty breathing. This leads to chest infections and hospital admissions affecting children’s quality of life and life expectancy.
At present, for younger children there are no appropriate ways to measure the size of a child's breathe and cough strength.
This study looks to assess breathing patterns of children when relaxed. We will utilise existing equipment to measure the breathing function of children with SMA.
Patients will lie relaxed on a bed, breathing normally, with markers temporarily placed on their chest. Eight cameras pick up signals from the markers and convert the information into the child’s breathing pattern.
The information will be analysed and marked as baseline data.
The patients will be retested every 6 months alongside standardised clinic visits.This will be the first UK based study to measure respiratory function and chest wall shape.
This will enable the study to gain lung function results on children with all ages, in a non invasive way without the need for sedation. The study would enable review of patients who previously were not able to complete lung function tests as well as offer an alternative to those have completed lung function.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0001
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion