Clinical Research Directory

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Spirometry: Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial

This study will examine the short-term effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (a non-invasive electrical stimulation delivered through the outer ear) on lung function measured by spirometry in healthy adults. The vagus nerve is involved in many automatic body functions, and ear-based stimulation has been used in research to explore its possible effects on different physiological systems. However, it is not clear whether a brief stimulation session can acutely influence breathing test results in people without respiratory disease. Healthy volunteers aged 18-40 will take part in one laboratory visit. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) active bilateral stimulation applied to specific ear regions that are known to be innervated by the vagus nerve, or (2) sham stimulation using the same device setup but designed to minimize vagal activation. The stimulation session will last approximately 10 minutes. Before and after the stimulation, participants will perform standard spirometry (breathing) tests. Primary spirometric outcomes will include common measures of lung function such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood pressure may also be recorded to monitor physiological responses and safety during the visit. Participation is voluntary and participants may withdraw at any time. The procedure is considered minimal risk. Possible side effects are usually mild and temporary, such as tingling, warmth, or mild discomfort at the ear. Rarely, participants may feel lightheaded; if this occurs, the procedure will be stopped and the participant will be monitored until symptoms resolve. There is no guaranteed direct benefit to participants. The results may help clarify whether short-term ear-based vagus nerve stimulation can influence spirometric parameters and may inform future studies on autonomic and respiratory interactions.

Respiratory Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Hand Function in Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

The goal of this observational study is to learn how respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength are related to hand use in children and teenagers with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP) aged 6 to 18 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is respiratory function related to hand function in children with hemiparetic CP? Is respiratory muscle strength related to hand function in children with hemiparetic CP? Is respiratory function related to how strong children can squeeze with their affected hand? Is respiratory muscle strength related to how strong children can squeeze with their affected hand? Is respiratory function related to how well children use their hands in daily activities? Is respiratory muscle strength related to how well children use their hands in daily activities? Is respiratory function related to children's hand skill level? Is respiratory muscle strength related to children's hand skill level? Participants will: Visit the clinic one time for a single assessment session. Do simple lung tests using a small portable device to measure respiratory function. Do tests that measure how strong their breathing muscles are. Complete hand and arm tests, including: A hand grip strength test, A simple block-moving test, A short questionnaire about using the hand in daily life, A standard hand skill rating. Researchers will look at how respiratory measures are related to hand strength, hand skills, and daily hand use. This study may help improve rehabilitation programs by showing whether respiratory muscle strength and hand skills should be trained together in children with hemiparetic CP.

Objective Evaluation of Cough Effort in Tracheotomized Patients (LOST Study)

This study aims to evaluate how well tracheotomized patients can cough before and after their tracheostomy tube is removed. Cough strength is measured using two different tools-Peak Flow and Lorio. Researchers want to find out if the cough measurement taken before removing the tube can help predict how effective the patient's cough will be afterward. The study will also explore factors that might influence cough strength and compare the usefulness of the two tools. Additionally, it will assess how patients feel about using these devices and the role of diaphragm ultrasound in predicting cough effectiveness.

Positive Pressure Therapy to Optimize LUNG Function After Heart Surgery

The most common cardiac surgeries are myocardial revascularization and valve replacement or plastic surgery. In the postoperative period of cardiac surgeries, the incidence of pulmonary complications ranges from 30% to 50% and is associated with increased length of hospital stay and morbidity and mortality. To reduce or minimize the occurrence of these complications, respiratory physiotherapy employs positive pressure reexpansion therapies, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and positive pressure support with positive end-expiratory pressure (PS+PEEP). The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of two positive pressure therapies, CPAP versus PS+PEEP, on the incidence of pulmonary complications in patients in the postoperative period of myocardial revascularization and valve replacement or plastic surgery, with mild to moderate pulmonary dysfunction. The main question it aims to answer is: Do patients in the immediate postoperative period of myocardial revascularization or valve replacement/plastic surgery, exhibiting mild to moderate pulmonary dysfunction, experience a comparable reversal of pulmonary conditions when treated with PS+PEEP versus CPAP? Participants will undergo the following assessments: spirometry, respiratory muscle strength testing, handgrip strength testing, and electrical impedance tomography. In the immediate postoperative period, participants will be randomized into two treatment groups: • Control Group PS+PEEP - application of 4 sets of 20 repetitions with PS to provide a tidal volume equal to 10ml/kg of predicted body weight, PEEP equal to 10 cmH2O, and inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) to achieve peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) between 92-94%; • Experimental Group CPAP - application of CPAP at 10 cmH2O with FiO2 to achieve SpO2 between 92-94% for 30 minutes.

Visualization of Inspiratory Effort and Respiratory Mechanics to Promote Lung- and Diaphragm Protective Ventilation

This is a multicentre prospective cohort trial in adult and pediatric ICU patients. The investigators will measure the effect of a patient's inspiratory effort during mechanical ventilation on the lungs and diaphragm. The investigators will daily (for a maximum of 8 days) measure esophageal pressures with a balloon catheter to quantify inspiratory effort and respiratory muscle function, and perform daily ultrasound measurements of the diaphragm and the lungs. The investigators hypothesize that a small inspiratory effort will result in the preservation of diaphragm function and have no adverse effect on lung function.

Prediction of COPD Severity Using Electrical Impedance Tomography

The purpose of this study is to predict the CT visual score of emphysema with EIT-based parameters, in order to provide a non-invasive and convenient method for the evaluation of lung structure and physiological and pathological progression of COPD.