HYPoxaEmic Respiratory Failure and Awake Prone Ventilation
This study is investigating if an approach called 'awake prone positioning' can help people with severe breathing difficulties. This means lying on your stomach while you are awake, to help your lungs breathe better. The main aim is to see if this simple method, when added to usual oxygen treatments, can stop patients from needing a breathing tube and a machine to breathe for them (mechanical ventilation). This research focuses on adults admitted to hospital with serious breathing problems that are not related to COVID-19. Doctors already know lying on your stomach helps patients on breathing machines, and this study explores if it can help earlier, when people are still breathing on their own.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When you have severe breathing problems, your body struggles to get enough oxygen. This can be a very serious situation. Doctors usually give you extra oxygen, often through special masks or tubes that deliver oxygen at a high flow, or using machines that help push air into your lungs without a tube (non-invasive ventilation).
This study is looking at an additional, simple technique called 'awake prone positioning'. This means you would be asked to lie on your stomach for periods while you are awake. The idea behind this is that lying on your stomach can help the lungs work better by opening up parts that might be squashed when you lie on your back. This can improve oxygen levels and make breathing easier.
While doctors have found that lying on your stomach can be very helpful for patients who are already on breathing machines, we don't have much strong evidence yet for people who are still breathing on their own with oxygen support. This study aims to find out if adding awake prone positioning to your usual care can reduce the chance of you needing a breathing tube and a machine to breathe for you. It's an important question because avoiding mechanical ventilation can often lead to better recovery.
Key takeaways
- This study evaluates if lying on your stomach helps severe breathing problems.
- It aims to reduce the need for breathing tubes and machines.
- It's for adults with breathing difficulties not related to COVID-19.
- You would either receive standard care or standard care plus lying on your stomach.
- You can stop participating at any time.
Who may be eligible?
This study is for adults who are admitted to an intensive care unit because they are having severe difficulty breathing, and this breathing problem is not due to COVID-19.
To be considered, your breathing rate needs to be fast (at least 25 breaths per minute), and tests need to show that your oxygen levels are lower than they should be, even with oxygen support like standard oxygen, high-flow oxygen, or non-invasive ventilation.
However, there are reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are not fully awake or able to cooperate, if you can't comfortably lie on your stomach, if you're already very close to needing a breathing tube, or if you have a healthcare plan stating you don't wish to be intubated.
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 an adult (18 or older) currently in intensive care for severe breathing problems?
- Are your breathing problems causing low oxygen levels, even with support?
- Are your breathing problems NOT due to COVID-19?
- Are you fully awake and able to understand and cooperate?
- Can you comfortably lie on your stomach for periods, or try to?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, you would receive standard medical care for your breathing problems, which might include oxygen therapy or non-invasive breathing support. In addition to this, you would either continue with just standard care or you would also be asked to try lying on your stomach (awake prone positioning) for periods of time. The study will look at how well these different approaches work. This is not a study about taking new medicines. The total duration of your participation would depend on your hospital stay and how your breathing problems resolve.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (4)
- Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas ClinicsVerified postcodeKaunas, Lithuania· Not yet recruiting
- Republican Vilnius University HospitalVerified postcodeVilnius, Lithuania· Not yet recruiting
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros KlinikosVerified postcodeVilnius, Lithuania· Recruiting
- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS TrustVerified postcodeLondon, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting
Common questions
What does 'awake prone positioning' mean?
It means lying on your stomach while you are awake to help your lungs breathe better and get more oxygen.
Why is this study important if lying on your stomach is already used?
While it helps patients already on breathing machines, this study focuses on whether it can help people still breathing on their own, potentially stopping them from needing a machine.
Will I have to take new medicine in this study?
No, this study is not about new medications. It's about a different body position (lying on your stomach) as an addition to standard breathing support.
What kind of breathing problems is this study looking at?
It's for severe breathing problems that cause low oxygen levels, but specifically those NOT caused by COVID-19.
Can I leave the study if I decide it's not for me?
Yes, you can withdraw from the study at any time, and your medical care will not be affected.
How to find out more
Tomas Jovaisa, Prof
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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