Clinical Research Directory

Gas Exchange MRI to Visualize Regional Therapy Response in Interstitial Lung Disease

The purpose of this multi-centered, NIH-sponsored study is to to develop an optimal protocol for using non-invasive 129Xe gas exchange MRI to detect changing disease activity in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We base this study on the demonstrated promise of 129Xe as a biomarker for both prognosis and therapy response, overwhelming interest from both industry and academic partners, and impending FDA approval for 129Xe ventilation MRI. This requires disseminating standardized and repeatable methods for 3D 129Xe functional MRI in order to facilitate innovative multi-center observational and interventional trials that can advance our understanding of fibrotic lung disease, while accelerating the development of novel therapies.

Effect of Indoor Air Quality Improvement on Health in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease

Air pollution threatens the respiratory health of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). High-efficiency air purifiers, featuring easy operation and excellent particulate matter removal efficiency, have been shown in previous studies to potentially delay lung function deterioration and reduce acute exacerbation risk in respiratory disease patients. This randomized crossover study employs air purifiers to filter indoor gaseous pollutants, allergens, and other contaminants, aiming to alleviate respiratory irritation, improve daily life comfort, and enhance overall health status in ILD patients.

Sputum Cytometry Guided Management for the Elimination of Chronic Cough in Patients With ILD

In Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) there is thickening of lung tissue, which makes it difficult for patients to breathe and get enough oxygen into their bodies. In addition to shortness of breath, daily cough is very common, with 4 out of 5 patients experiencing this symptom. Cough in particular has a major impact on the ability to exercise, be active, and to simply enjoy life. There are many reasons for cough in ILD, and very often there are multiple overlapping causes. It is hard to improve cough in these patients, with available medicines providing limited relief. One explanation for this gap is an incomplete understanding of cough in ILD. To improve patients' cough there is a need to better understand its cause. In other lung diseases, such as asthma, doctors and scientists have used phlegm tests to measure inflammation in the lung, which helps them choose the right medicine for the right patient. This has not been done for ILD, even though it has recently been found that many patients with ILD and everyday cough have abnormal phlegm tests. Using this strategy in ILD could improve patients' cough and quality of life, and possibly even slow progression of the disease.

SWEEP: Shuttle Walking Test for Exercise Evaluation in Pulmonary Resection

This is a prospective observational study that evaluates whether the Shuttle Walking Test (SWT) can predict postoperative symptoms, particularly dyspnea, in patients with chronic respiratory diseases undergoing lung resection. Currently, tools such as DLCO or cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are used to assess surgical risk and exercise capacity before lung surgery. However, these tests are not always accessible due to equipment limitations or long waiting times. The SWT is a simpler, safer, and more cost-effective alternative that has been recently recognized as a new medical technology in Korea for evaluating exercise capacity. In this study, patients with chronic lung diseases (such as COPD, ILD, or bronchiectasis) who are scheduled to undergo lung resection will perform the SWT before surgery. Their symptoms and quality of life will be assessed through questionnaires before and three months after the surgery. The goal is to determine whether SWT results can help predict postoperative dyspnea and provide useful information for preoperative risk stratification.

Validation and Clinical Utility of the Lung Sliding Index (LSI) for Differentiating Pulmonary Diseases

This upcoming case-control study aims to confirm the Lung Sliding Index (LSI), a new ultrasound score that measures how well the pleura moves, in various lung diseases. The study will check how well the LSI can tell apart different lung diseases (like pneumothorax, interstitial lung disease, COPD, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema), how it relates to signs of disease severity, and how consistent the results are between different operators who have received the same training. Secondary objectives include assessing patient and operator satisfaction and feasibility using validated Likert scales.

The Use of Entropy to Assess Sleep Disordered Breathing in Chronic Respiratory Disease

Research is being conducted into chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease, and bronchiectasis. The investigation specifically focuses on sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in individuals with chronic respiratory disease. SDB encompasses a range of conditions, the most common of which is obstructive sleep apnoea. In obstructive sleep apnoea, periodic pauses in breathing (apnoea) lead to reduced blood oxygen levels. To detect these events, patients typically undergo sleep studies that involve monitoring oxygen saturation, heart rate, and respiratory patterns during sleep. When chronic respiratory disease and SDB coexist, breathing disturbances during sleep may be exacerbated. To identify SDB, sleep studies are commonly used to assess oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing patterns. The objective of this research is to identify differences between patients with chronic respiratory diseases who have SDB and those who do not. This will be achieved by analysing sleep study data using a novel analytical approach. The aim is to determine whether this method can yield more detailed insights into the underlying pathophysiology of these conditions.

A Non-pharmacological Cough Control Therapy

Coughing affects almost all individuals with ILD leading to physical, psychological and social distress and prevents individuals from performing their activities of daily living, working or socialising in public places. Unfortunately, there are no licensed medications available to treat chronic cough and the few drugs that have been tried resulted in little efficacy and significant side effects. Drug-free cough control interventions have shown promise in reducing the severity and impact of coughing on patients' lives but have not been tested in individuals with ILD. This study aims to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a non-pharmacological cough control therapy, as an adjuvant of pulmonary rehabilitation, in patients with ILD and chronic cough (\>8 weeks in duration).

Advancing Prevention of Pulmonary Fibrosis

This study plans to learn more about pulmonary fibrosis and how it develops. We want to determine if the disease can be detected early, before the lung is permanently scarred. This study will enroll participants who are not currently diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, but who have family members with pulmonary fibrosis. Because there is an increased risk within affected families, this cohort will allow us to learn how pulmonary fibrosis develops, and how the lungs change over time.

Impact of Remote Vital Signs Monitoring in People Using Long-term Oxygen Therapy

Assess quality of life of patients using prolonged oxygen therapy

Benefit of High-flow Nasal Cannula on Persistent Dyspnea in Ild

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of high-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) oxygen compared to long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) on dyspnea and quality of life in intersititial lung disease patients with chronic respiratory failure and persistent breathlessness in whom LTOT has already been initiated.

ILD In Obese Patients With OSA

Assess the impact of obesity and OSA on the interpretation of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in patients with ILD. Identify specific challenges or confounding factors that may contribute to the misinterpretation of HRCT findings in this population. Evaluate the potential consequences of misinterpretation, including delayed or inaccurate diagnosis, inappropriate treatment decisions, and suboptimal patient outcomes.

Sarcopenia in Chronic Lung Diseases

Inclusion criteria A)Outpatients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or ILD (interstitial lung disease) from department of Chest medicine in Taichung Veterans General Hospital, judged by the doctor that they do not need hospitalization or emergent treatment. B) Patients who agree to provide the ID card number to the research team for usage as a link to the National Health Insurance research database and Health bank to explore the continuity of care and the use of medical resources

Evaluate the Effect of Dietary Supplement Combined Exercise Among Patients With Sarcopenia Comorbid With Lung Disease

This trial is a prospective multi-center study. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of dietary supplement combined with supervised exercised on the physical performance, body composition and lung function among patients with Sarcopenia and severe Sarcopenia in chronic lung disease. After participants enroll in this study, 12-week clinical trial will be conducted to analyze the improvement regarding Sarcopenia and different severity of Sarcopenia before and after the intervention of exercise and nutritional products, which can further provide reference for clinical intervention and rehabilitation.