Evaluation of Intelligent oxygen therapy S1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The assessment of intelligent oxygen therapy (iO2t) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on long term oxygen therapy
IRAS ID
141974
Contact name
Anita Simonds
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust R&D Department
Research summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of a new oxygen delivery system to 1) act as an oxygen assessment tool and 2) to keep arterial oxygen levels (SpO2) at a specific level in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) during a six minute walk test (6MWT). \nCurrently LTOT is delivered at a fixed flow rate at all times after appropriate assessment. However despite these assessments previous studies have shown that up to 85% of patients still spend significant periods of the day sub-optimally oxygenated especially on exertion. This can lead to breathlessness, heart problems and may affect brain function. \nThe question then becomes – “is there is better way to assess oxygen need in patients when they are mobile and a better way to deliver oxygen so that the patients’ oxygen level is kept at a more optimum level”? In response to clinical studies and the above questions, a new system of oxygen delivery has been developed which is able to auto-titrate the amount of oxygen delivered to a patient depending on the SpO2 at any given time - “Intelligent oxygen therapy (iO2t)” - a phrase we have coined. The system aims to 1) keep SpO2 optimum at all times and 2) quantify the oxygen flow rates of patients when they are walking. \nThe system was developed in 2005, has had recent technological upgrades leading to a fully miniaturised portable system.\nIn this project, patients with COPD on LTOT will perform three 6WMTs, one to familiarise themselves with the walk test, one with their usual oxygen therapy and the new iO2t system. The outcome measures recorded will distinguish if iO2t is better than usual LTOT at keeping the SpO2 at specified levels and its value as an oxygen assessment tool.\n
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/0130
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion