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Monitoring Respiratory Muscle Function in Acute Respiratory Failure Patients on Non Invasive Respiratory Support

This study aims to improve how doctors monitor people with acute respiratory failure (ARF) who are using non-invasive breathing support like CPAP. Currently, it's hard to tell if someone's breathing muscles are getting tired until it's too late. We're testing two safe, non-invasive tools: ultrasound (to see breathing muscle thickness and movement) and electrical impedance tomography (EIT, using a belt to measure air in the lungs). We want to find out if these tools are practical for hospitals and if they can give doctors better information, potentially helping them make quicker decisions and improve care for people with ARF.

At a glance

Status
Recruiting
Phase
NA
Sponsor
Queen Mary University of London
Enrolment target
50
Start
26 Feb 2026
Estimated completion
02 May 2027
Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF)Non Invasive Ventilation

What is this study about?

Acute respiratory failure is a serious condition where your lungs struggle to get enough oxygen into your body. Many people with this condition receive help from 'non-invasive respiratory support' (NRS), which includes treatments like high-flow nasal oxygen, CPAP, or BiPAP masks. While these treatments are very helpful, sometimes people's condition can still get worse, and they might need a breathing tube, which can lead to longer hospital stays and more complications. Currently, doctors rely on general signs like breathing rate or oxygen levels, but these don't always show how hard your breathing muscles are working or if they're getting tired.

This study is looking at whether two advanced but very friendly and safe monitoring tools can give doctors a better picture. One is ultrasound, which uses sound waves to look at your breathing muscles, their thickness, how they move, and even how well your lungs are inflating. The other is called Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). This involves wearing a soft belt around your chest with small sensors that can show, in real-time, how air and blood are moving in different parts of your lungs. Both of these tools have been used safely before and appear comfortable for patients.

The main goal of this study is to see if these monitoring methods are practical and easy for hospital staff to use in everyday care, especially in areas outside of intensive care units. We also want to understand if the information they provide can help doctors make better and quicker decisions about adjusting breathing support or identifying patients who might be at risk of their condition worsening. Ultimately, the hope is that this research could lead to more personalised and effective care for people with acute respiratory failure in the future.

Key takeaways

  • New ways to monitor breathing difficulties.
  • Testing safe, non-invasive tools: ultrasound and EIT.
  • Aims to help doctors make better, faster treatment decisions.
  • Focus on improving care for future patients with acute respiratory failure.
  • Participation involves bedside monitoring sessions, no change to your treatment.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or older who are currently experiencing severe breathing difficulties, known as acute respiratory failure, and need non-invasive breathing support like high-flow oxygen, CPAP, or BiPAP masks.

There are certain situations that would mean someone cannot take part. For example, if someone is in immediate life-threatening distress and needs a breathing tube right away, or if they have certain conditions like a very low level of consciousness, severe facial injuries, or are pregnant. People who are receiving end-of-life care are also not included.

Additionally, if there's a reason why using the monitoring equipment wouldn't be safe or practical for you, such as severe burns on your chest, very severe obesity, or having a pacemaker (for the EIT monitoring), then you wouldn't be able to join the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

  1. Are you 18 years old or older?
  2. Do you have severe breathing difficulties (acute respiratory failure)?
  3. Are you currently receiving breathing support like CPAP, BiPAP, or high-flow oxygen?
  4. Do you not have a very low level of consciousness or severe facial injuries?
  5. Are you not pregnant or receiving end-of-life care?
Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll have ultrasound and EIT monitoring done several times. These sessions will happen at your bedside, mainly during the first three days (72 hours) after you start your breathing support. You might have up to seven of these monitoring sessions, plus one more if you improve enough to stop breathing support, or if your condition gets worse and you need a breathing tube.

Each monitoring session typically takes between 15 to 45 minutes. For these assessments, you'll need to briefly expose your upper chest so the ultrasound and EIT belt can be placed. The EIT belt is soft and simply wraps around your chest. We'll also collect information that your medical team is already routinely gathering, such as your heart rate, oxygen levels, and other breathing measurements. You won't be given any new medications, and your usual medical care won't change because of your participation in the study.

Potential risks and benefits

Both ultrasound and EIT are very safe, widely used monitoring tools. They don't involve any radiation, needles, or harmful exposure. You might feel a little temporary discomfort from the gel used with the ultrasound or from the EIT belt being placed, but this should be minor. Your participation will not change your medical treatment in any way. While you might not directly feel a personal benefit from taking part, your contribution will be incredibly valuable. It will help us better understand how breathing muscles and lungs behave during acute respiratory failure, potentially leading to better, more personalised care for future patients. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical treatment.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.
  • Royal London Hospital
    Verified postcode
    London, United Kingdom· Recruiting
  • Newham Hospital
    Verified postcode
    London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'acute respiratory failure'?

It's a serious condition where your lungs can't get enough oxygen into your body, making it hard to breathe on your own.

What does 'non-invasive respiratory support' mean?

These are breathing treatments like CPAP, BiPAP, or high-flow oxygen delivered through a mask or nasal tubes, without needing a breathing tube down your windpipe.

Are ultrasound and EIT safe?

Yes, both are very safe, widely used medical tools that don't use radiation, needles, or harmful exposure.

Will taking part in the study change my medical treatment?

No, your medical team will continue to treat you as they normally would, based on your condition. The study won't alter your care.

What happens if I change my mind about participating?

You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, and this will not affect your medical care in any way.

How to find out more

Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.

Interested in taking part?

Register your interest

Share your details and the research team for "Monitoring Respiratory Muscle Function in Acute Respiratory …" will contact you if you may be eligible. Always speak to your GP before agreeing to take part.

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