Can Waveform and Flow Traces From Mechanical Insufflation:Exsufflation (MI:E) be Used to Identify Laryngeal Responses to MI:E and Thus Optimise Treatment Algorithms?

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to determine if physiotherapists can use waveform traces from a cough assist machine to identify abnormal airway responses during treatment. It focuses on patients with neuromuscular diseases and studies how different settings of the cough assist device, especially breath and cough pressures, affect patient responses. The goal is to provide clinical guidance to physiotherapists for assessing and managing these airway responses. During the study, participants will undergo breathing tests including spirometry, peak cough flow, and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure to assess baseline lung function and exclude those with breathing conditions. A nasal camera will be used to observe the voice box while the cough assist device is applied via a face mask. The device's waveforms will be recorded and analyzed alongside video recordings to see if voice box responses can be identified from these patterns. The cough assist treatment is delivered by an experienced physiotherapist following established protocols. Participants will be monitored for about 30 minutes each during the study. The main assessments include waveform analysis from the cough assist device and nasal endoscopy video recordings of the voice box. These observations will help researchers better understand patient responses to cough assist therapy. The study involves no additional long-term follow-up but requires participants to complete the breathing tests and allow video and device recordings during the session.

Can Waveform and Flow Traces From Mechanical Insuflattion:Exsufflation (MI:E) be Used to Identify Laryngeal Responses to MI:E and Thus Optimise Treatment Algorithms?