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.

Comparing Ultrasonic and Conventional Spirometry in Chronic Respiratory Disease

This study compares a handheld ultrasonic spirometer with a standard hospital spirometer in adults with chronic respiratory diseases. Each participant will complete lung function tests using both devices. The study aims to determine whether the ultrasonic device provides accurate and reliable measurements for use in clinical or home settings.

TB Type and Spirometry Result vs. Functional Capacity Based on 6MWT in People With Post-TB Lung Disease

Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease (PTLD) is defined as chronic respiratory impairment due to previous pulmonary TB. Children recovering from pulmonary TB undergo ongoing respiratory health challenges, including more frequent respiratory symptoms, reduced lung volumes, and a threefold higher rate of pulmonary dysfunction compared to healthy children. These conditions could lead to long-term health consequences such as difficulties in performing daily activities. Pulmonary function impairment in PTLD includes approximately 10% of patients losing more than 50% of lung function. Adolescents who have undergone TB treatment often experience pulmonary function impairment and reduced physical capacity. This aims of this study is to analyze the correlation between type of tuberculosis, spirometry result, and functional capacity in adolescents with post-tuberculosis lung disease. This study is an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional approach. This study is conducted at Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, starting in March until May 2026. Inclusion criteria including: adolescents (10-18 year old), and diagnosed with post tuberculosis lung disease by pediatrician, and capable of performing the 6MWT. The participants with post TB lung disease will undergo spirometry and functional capacity assessment using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Outcomes include spirometry result and functional capacity using 6MWT.

Bronchodilator Response in COPD and Asthma: Correlation Between Spirometry, IOS Indices, and Dyspnea Relief

A bronchodilator reversibility test is widely used in the diagnosis and management of obstructive lung diseases. Bronchodilators relieve symptoms in asthma and COPD. Traditionally, their effectiveness has been assessed using spirometric indices, particularly FEV₁. However, changes in FEV₁ often do not correlate well with patients' subjective experience of dyspnoea relief or with changes in small airway function. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) provides an effort-independent assessment of respiratory mechanics during tidal breathing and is more sensitive to small airway dysfunction than spirometry. Despite this, the clinical utility of IOS in routine COPD and asthma assessment remains underexplored, and its relationship to both spirometric response and symptom relief is not fully established, and the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) for IOS parameters has not been firmly established. Determining the MCID is essential for interpreting individual patient responses in a clinically meaningful way and for guiding treatment decisions in both research and practice. Hypothesis \& Aims In patients with either asthma or COPD baseline values and bronchodilator responses are compared. More specifically, this study aims to: 1. assess baseline correlations: Evaluate the correlation between ΔX5-baseline (EFL expiratory flow limitation=small airway collapse during expiration), RV/TLC-baseline, X5-average at baseline, FEV1-baseline, VAS-dyspnea at baseline, and ACQ-6-baseline. 2. compare bronchodilator responses across methods: Examine the correlation between bronchodilator-induced changes in FEV₁ and IOS parameters (including both average and delta values) and explore their relationship with short-term changes in dyspnea. 3. establish clinical relevance: Determine the MCID for key IOS variables using both anchor-based and distribution-based approaches, anchored to perceived changes in lung symptoms.

Breathing Exercise for Rib Fracture

Respiratory physiotherapy is routinely performed after thoracic surgery operations to increase lung expansion and prevent pulmonary complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia. It is a controversial issue whether respiratory physiotherapy reduces pulmonary complications in rib fractures. In our study, patients with rib fractures will be divided into two groups. In the control group, standard treatment consisting of routine analgesic treatments will be applied. In the other group, respiratory physiotherapy will be applied with triflu for 8 hours a day. At the end of the study, pulmonary complications in both groups will be compared.