The use of Structured Light Plethysmography in neuromuscular disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can the use of Structured Light Plethysmography (SLP, PneumaScan®) be used to improve the respiratory care of children and young people with neuromuscular conditions – an exploratory pilot study.
IRAS ID
147056
Contact name
Michael Shields
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Belfast HSC Trust
Research summary
Children with neuromuscular disorders (eg Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) )are unable to fully expand their chest wall due to a combination of respiratory muscle weakness and abnormal curvature of their spine (scoliosis). This is exacerbated by lying flat so children with neuromuscular disorders often under breathe (hypoventilate) during sleep. Serially monitoring of lung function (at the outpatient clinic) alerts to when the doctor should be thinking that hypoventilation is occurring. Currently there is no simple predictor of nocturnal hypoventilation. Many patients with DMD can not make a tight seal between their lips and the mouth piece to allow lung function measurement.
Structured Light Plethysmography (SLP) is a novel way to measure lung function. It works by observing a grid of light projected onto the anterior chest wall of the patient and interprets this movement during breathing as respiratory volume. The 3D motion allows lung function to be calculated in addition to regional (right/left, upper/lower) chest wall movement. The PneumaScan® is now available commercially. Little co-ordination is required- the patient wears a white t-shirt and differential chest expansion in the different sides and lobes of the lungs can be monitored.
We hypothesis that SLP will correlate with lung function and that the differences measured between testing when a child is erect or supine (as lying in bed) could be used as a non-invasive tool way to detect nocturnal hypoventilation. If we could accurately predict nocturnal hypoventilation then management/treatment plans could be put in place in a more timely fashion.
In addition, we would like to find out if the SLP measurements could be used to optimise non-invasive ventilation settings and cough assist that we currently use for treatment. Could the chest wall movements (upper lobes versus lower, Right versus Left) measured by SLP help the physiotherapist optimise these therapies ?REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
14/NI/1035
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion