Effects of body position on lung function in humans. Version 2

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The effect of body position on pulmonary ventilation and respiratory gas exchange.

• IRAS ID

  122527

• Contact name

  Liam O'Reilly

• Contact email

  liam.o'reilly@uhb.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Head of Research and Development Governance Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

• Research summary

  Our primary outcome is to investigate whether the measurements gas transfer using carbon monoxide (TLCO) and nitric oxide (TLNO)from seated to supine body positions will provide valuable information regarding how various lung regions are affected over time as well providing information on functionality. TLCO is currently the established standardised method to determine gas diffusion function across the alveolar capillary membrane and is performed in the sitting position. We have developed a programme of work to validate the change of TLCO/KCO from the sitting to lying positions. We are particularly interested in determining whether a measurable change in gas transfer from a sitting to a lying position can be observed. If so this might be a useful diagnostic approach to the assessment of lung disease and pre-operative assessments.
  A secondary outcome is to investigate the difference in breathing patterns in different body positions using the technique of structured light plethysmography (SLP). SLP is a newly developed non-invasive non-contact technique for capturing the movement of the rib cage and abdomen. The technique enables quantifying the relative movement of the right and left as well as the ribcage and abdomen during tidal breathing and gas transfer manoeuvres. We intend to investigate if there are noticeable differences in respiratory patterns that can be monitored using SLP. For example a CT scan can currently be used to determine those regions of the lungs affected; however, these scans are costly and in high demand leading to lengthy wait for patients. Gas transfer and SLP measurements are quicker and simpler to perform as well as cheaper than imaging scans and can easily be incorporated into a patient’s routine lung function tests.

• REC name

  West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/WM/1005

• Date of REC Opinion

  8 Jul 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion