RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Using sEMG of the Diaphragm to Assess Readiness for Extubation

This study is for patients in intensive care (ICU) who have a breathing tube to help them breathe. When patients start to get better, doctors try to remove this tube, a process called extubation. It's really important to do this at the right time to help patients recover well. Researchers are testing a new method using a special skin sensor, called sEMG, which measures the activity of your breathing muscles, especially a major one called the diaphragm. This sensor, which causes no pain, helps doctors understand how strong these muscles are. While sEMG has been used before to look at muscle strength in other ways, its use to decide when to take out a breathing tube hasn't been fully explored. This trial aims to see if this method can help doctors make better decisions about when someone is ready to breathe on their own, leading to better care for patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Enrolment target

Start

31 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2026

Critical Illness

What is this study about?

When someone is seriously ill and admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), they often need help breathing. This usually means a breathing tube is placed into their windpipe, and a machine (ventilator) helps them breathe. This vital support gives their body time to recover from their illness. Once they start getting better, a crucial step is removing this breathing tube, a process called 'extubation', so they can breathe on their own again.

Deciding exactly when a patient is ready for extubation is very important. If the tube is removed too early, the patient might struggle and need the tube put back in, which can be upsetting and make their recovery take longer. If it's left in too long, it can also lead to problems like infections. Doctors currently use various tests and their experience to make this decision, but there's always room to improve how accurately we can predict who will do well after the tube is removed.

This study is exploring a new, non-invasive way to help make this decision. We're looking at using a special sensor placed on the skin, called sEMG (surface electromyography). This sensor measures the electrical activity of your breathing muscles, particularly a key muscle called the diaphragm. Think of it like listening to the signals your brain sends to your muscles to make them work. Recent improvements in technology mean we can now get a clearer picture of how hard this muscle is working, even with other movements from your chest. The aim is to see if these measurements can give doctors extra clues about how ready a patient's breathing muscles are to take over fully, potentially making the extubation process smoother and more successful for patients.

Key takeaways

Critically ill patients often need a breathing tube.
Removing the breathing tube at the right time is crucial for recovery.
This study uses skin sensors to measure breathing muscle activity.
The goal is to find better ways to decide when a patient is ready to breathe independently.
Participation involves painless skin sensors and no change to your care.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you would need to be an adult (18 years or older) and currently receiving breathing support from a machine in intensive care. You would also need to have been on this support for at least 72 hours (3 days), and your medical team must be planning to try and remove your breathing tube.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. This includes if you have had a serious head injury, if the plan to remove your breathing tube is part of end-of-life care, or if you have certain medical devices like a pacemaker or defibrillator that might interfere with the sensors. Also, if there are any skin problems where the sensors would be placed, you wouldn't be able to participate. The research team will carefully check all these points with you and your family.

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.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently on a breathing machine in intensive care?
Have you been on the breathing machine for at least 3 days?
Are your doctors planning to try and remove your breathing tube soon?
Do you *not* have a pacemaker or defibrillator?
Do you *not* have a recent serious head injury?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, a small, sticky sensor (like an ECG sticker) will be placed on your skin, typically on your chest, to measure your breathing muscle activity. This is completely painless. The sensor will just record signals and won't involve any needles, medication, or changes to your treatment. This monitoring will happen while you are undergoing the usual checks your doctors do to see if you are ready to have your breathing tube removed. There are no extra doctor visits specifically for the study. The sensor will be removed once the monitoring is complete. The total duration of your participation will be limited to the time needed for these checks while in the ICU.

Potential risks and benefits

The main potential benefit of this study is that it might help doctors develop better ways to decide when to remove breathing tubes safely, which could benefit patients in the future. For you personally, there are no direct benefits to your treatment, as it will continue as planned by your medical team. The risks associated with wearing the skin sensors are very low; some people might experience mild skin irritation where the sticky pads are placed, which usually goes away quickly. These sensors just record information and do not interfere with your body or your care. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care in any way.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Verified postcode
Cardiff, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a breathing tube?

A breathing tube is a soft tube placed into your windpipe to help you breathe, usually with the aid of a machine, when your lungs need help.

What does 'extubation' mean?

Extubation is the process where doctors carefully remove the breathing tube, allowing you to breathe on your own again.

What is sEMG?

sEMG is a special, painless sticker placed on your skin that measures the electrical signals from your muscles, helping us understand how they are working.

Will this study change my treatment?

No, this study will not change how your doctors treat you. It's about collecting information that might help other patients in the future.

Do the sensors hurt?

No, the sensors are just small sticky pads placed on your skin, similar to those used for heart monitoring. They are not painful.

How to find out more

Paul Twose, PhD

paul.twose@wales.nhs.uk +447739315830 Official trial record

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