Use of HFOT Post SCI - A Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High Flow Oxygen Therapy after Spinal Cord Injury – feasibility study to design a pragmatic randomised controlled trial protocol
IRAS ID
334634
Contact name
Paul Twose
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff and Vale UHB
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 0 days
Research summary
Patients who have a spinal cord injury (damage to their spinal cord affecting sensation, movement, or both) are at high risk of breathing difficulties. This is due to muscle weakness, making it difficult to take deep breaths and effectively cough up any sputum. This is particularly apparent for those who have a spinal cord injury in the upper part of the spine e.g., the neck and upper thoracic. As part of their treatment, these patients often have prolonged periods of being in bed and unable to sit up. This further increases the risk of a build-up of sputum which can lead to infection, potentially increases the levels of care needed, including more physiotherapy input or admission to an intensive care unit for breathing support.
To reduce the risk of developing these problems, patients receive regular physiotherapy, including the use of cough assist machines which help to clear secretions. Patients also receive nebulisers to help loosen the sputum to make it easier to cough, and if necessary, will be given oxygen to maintain their oxygen saturations.
Another method of giving oxygen and humidification is using AIRVOTM, which delivers the air / oxygen to the patient at higher flow rates as well as warming and humidifying the air. The benefits are that it helps the patients breathing by providing the higher flow rates, whilst the humidification helps to loosen the sputum that may be present.
The aim of this study is to compare the AIRVOTM system to standard care in a small sample of patients (30-40 patients) admitted to University Hospital of Wales following a cervical or upper thoracic spinal cord injury.
REC name
Seasonal REC
REC reference
24/LO/0034
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion