Electronic wheeze detector in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reliability and feasibility study of electronic wheeze detection device (WheezeScan) in children with recurrent or a recent wheeze attack
IRAS ID
330364
Contact name
Sejal Saglani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London - Research Governance and Integrity Team
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Asthma symptoms include wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound created by turbulent airflow through narrowed airways) associated with difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. Asthma is characterised by episodic (wheeze attacks) and variable symptoms which fluctuate day-to-day. The identification of wheeze is important for symptom control and to prevent attacks. Older children are able to say if they feel wheezy, but younger preschool children are unable to express this, meaning parents often have to detect the problem. However, it is difficult to hear wheeze without a stethoscope, so parents find it hard to identify the sound, and by the time they can hear the sound, the child may be very unwell. Improving parental awareness and ability to recognize wheeze may help with symptom management and control.
OMRON WheezeScan is a clinically validated electronic wheeze detection device. When placed under the right collar bone, a light indicates to parents whether wheeze is present or not. However, there is limited evidence about its reliability, and how it compares to clinical assessment.
Our aim is to test the reliability and feasibility of using this device in children who have been admitted with a wheeze attack. We will compare the clinician's assessment of the presence of wheeze to the electronic device. We will also ask the clinical team and parents how easy the device is to use.
With this data, we aim to understand if in the future, the wheeze detection device would be a feasible and effective guide for families in the home management of wheeze.REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/WM/0025
Date of REC Opinion
21 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion