scholarly journals Investigating outcome measures for assessing airway clearance techniques in adults with cystic fibrosis: protocol of a single-centre randomised controlled crossover trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000694
Author(s):  
Gemma Stanford ◽  
Jane C Davies ◽  
Omar Usmani ◽  
Winston Banya ◽  
Susan Charman ◽  
...  

IntroductionAirway clearance techniques (ACTs) are a gold standard of cystic fibrosis management; however, the majority of research evidence for their efficacy is of low standard; often attributed to the lack of sensitivity from outcome measures (OMs) used historically. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigates these standard OMs (sputum weight, forced expiratory volume in 1 s) and new OMs (electrical impedance tomography (EIT), multiple breath washout (MBW) and impulse oscillometry (IOS)) to determine the most useful measures of ACT.Methods and analysisThis is a single-centre RCT with crossover design. Participants perform MBW, IOS and spirometry, and then are randomised to either rest or supervised ACT lasting 30–60 min. MBW, IOS and spirometry are repeated immediately afterwards. EIT and sputum are collected during rest/ACT. On a separate day, the OMs are performed with the other intervention. Primary endpoint is difference in change in OMs before and after ACT/rest. Sample size was calculated with 80% power and significance of 5% for each OM (target n=64).Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was gained from the London–Chelsea Research Ethics Committee (reference 16/LO/0995, project ID 154635). Dissemination will involve scientific conference presentation and publication in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numbersISRCTN11220163 and NCT02721498.

2021 ◽  
pp. 00426-2021
Author(s):  
Galit Livnat ◽  
Naama Yaari ◽  
Nili Stein ◽  
Lea Bentur ◽  
Moneera Hanna ◽  
...  

BackgroundAirway clearance (AC) is a fundamental component of bronchiectasis care. Lung clearance index (LCI) is a measurement of ventilation inhomogeneity. Its responsiveness to long-term AC is unknown. We aimed to compare two methods of daily AC over four weeks: autogenic drainage (AD) and oscillating positive airway pressure (oPEP), and to to determine effects of AC on LCI and clinical outcomes.MethodsAdults with bronchiectasis naive to airway clearance were randomised to daily AC with either AD or oPEP. Difference in LCI as primary outcome, spirometry, sputum volume and purulence, and quality of life were evaluated at randomisation and after four weeks of AC.ResultsFifty-one patients (32 women, 19 men, mean age 66.2±12.8 years) were randomised and 49 completed the study (25 AD, 24 oPEP). The LCI and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) did not change between visits between groups (difference between groups 0.02), nor between visits in either group. Sputum quantity decreased in 12/24 (50%) of the oPEP group, and in 6/25 (24%) of the AD group (p=0.044). The “treatment burden” worsened or was unchanged in 70% of participants randomised to AD and 55% randomised to oPEP (p=0.038).ConclusionSputum quantity decreased in more participants randomised to oPEP group after one month of daily AC, with a better treatment burden. The effects of four weeks of AC on LCI were not significant in either treatment group.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma E Stanford ◽  
Mandy Jones ◽  
Susan C Charman ◽  
Diana Bilton ◽  
Omar S Usmani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) are integral to cystic fibrosis (CF) management. However, there is no consensus as to which outcome measures (OMs) are best for assessing ACT efficacy. Objectives: To summarise OMs that have been assessed for their clinimetric properties (including validity, feasibility, reliability & reproducibility) within the context of ACT research. MethodsEligibility Criteria - Any parallel or cross-over randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating outcome measures for ACT in the CF population. Information sources: Five medical databases; clinicaltrials.gov; abstracts from international CF conferences. Risk of Bias - The authors planned to independently assess study quality and risk of bias using the COSMIN risk of bias checklist with external validity assessment based upon study details (participants and study intervention).Synthesis of Results – Two review authors (GS and MJ) independently screened search results against inclusion criteria, further data extraction was planned but not required.ResultsIncluded studies - No completed RCTs from the 187 studies identified met inclusion criteria for the primary or post-hoc secondary objective. Two ongoing trials were identified.DiscussionLimitations of evidence: The search strategy may have missed some lesser-known terms for ACT or manuscripts reporting clinimetric properties solely within text. Studies validating outcome measures for use in other aspects of CF, which may be relevant to ACT, are not included.Interpretation - High-quality RCTs are urgently needed to investigate & validate the clinimetric properties of OMs used to assess ACT efficacy. With the changing demographics of CF combined with the introduction of CFTR modulator therapies, an accurate assessment of the current benefit of ACT or the effect of ACT withdrawal is a high priority for clinical practice and future research and OMs which have been validated for this purpose are essential.OtherFunding: NIHR/HEE Clinical Doctoral Fellowship grant for GS (reference CDRF-2014-05-055).Systematic review registration number - PROSPERO no.CRD42020206033


Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Dark ◽  
Ellie Newman ◽  
Victoria Gore-Jones ◽  
Veronica De Monte ◽  
Marta I. Garrido ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Compensation and adaptation therapies have been developed to improve community functioning via improving neurocognitive abilities in people with schizophrenia. Various modes of delivering compensation and adaptation therapies have been found to be effective. The aim of this trial is to compare two different cognitive interventions, Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and Computerised Interactive Remediation of Cognition–Training for Schizophrenia (CIRCuiTS). The trial also aims to identify if mismatch negativity (MMN) can predict an individual’s response to the compensation and adaptation programmes. Methods This study will use a randomised, controlled trial of two cognitive interventions to compare the impact of these programmes on measures of neurocognition and function. One hundred clinically stable patients aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder will be recruited. Participants will be randomised to either the CCT or the CIRCuiTS therapy groups. The outcome measures are neurocognition (BACS), subjective sense of cognitive impairment (SSTICS), social functioning (SFS), and MMN (measured by EEG) in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Discussion This trial will determine whether different approaches to addressing the cognitive deficits found in schizophrenia spectrum disorders are of comparable benefit using the outcome measures chosen. This has implications for services where cost and lack of computer technology limit the implementation and dissemination of interventions to address cognitive impairment in routine practice. The trial will contribute to the emerging evidence of MMN as a predictor of response to cognitive interventions. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12618000161224. Registered on 2 February 2018. Protocol version: 4.0, 18 June 2018.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Rankin ◽  
◽  
Cathal A. Cadogan ◽  
Heather E. Barry ◽  
Evie Gardner ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The use of multiple medications (polypharmacy) is a concern in older people (≥65 years) and is associated with negative health outcomes. For older populations with multimorbidity, polypharmacy is the reality and the key challenge is ensuring appropriate polypharmacy (as opposed to inappropriate polypharmacy). This external pilot cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) aims to further test a theory-based intervention to improve appropriate polypharmacy in older people in primary care in two jurisdictions, Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Methods Twelve GP practices across NI (n=6) and the six counties in the ROI that border NI will be randomised to either the intervention or usual care group. Members of the research team have developed an intervention to improve appropriate polypharmacy in older people in primary care using the Theoretical Domains Framework of behaviour change. The intervention consists of two components: (1) an online video which demonstrates how a GP may prescribe appropriate polypharmacy during a consultation with an older patient and (2) a patient recall process, whereby patients are invited to scheduled medication review consultations with GPs. Ten older patients receiving polypharmacy (≥4 medications) will be recruited per GP practice (n=120). GP practices allocated to the intervention arm will be asked to watch the online video and schedule medication reviews with patients on two occasions; an initial and a 6-month follow-up appointment. GP practices allocated to the control arm will continue to provide usual care to patients. The study will assess the feasibility of recruitment, retention and study procedures including collecting data on medication appropriateness (from GP records), quality of life and health service use (i.e. hospitalisations). An embedded process evaluation will assess intervention fidelity (i.e. was the intervention delivered as intended), acceptability of the intervention and potential mechanisms of action. Discussion This pilot cRCT will provide evidence of the feasibility of a range of study parameters such as recruitment and retention, data collection procedures and the acceptability of the intervention. Pre-specified progression criteria will also be used to determine whether or not to proceed to a definitive cRCT. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN41009897. Registered 19 November 2019. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04181879. Registered 02 December 2019.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e050582
Author(s):  
Annette Mollerup ◽  
Sofus Christian Larsen ◽  
Anita Selmer Bennetzen ◽  
Marius Henriksen ◽  
Mette Kildevaeld Simonsen ◽  
...  

IntroductionInfection with SARS-CoV-2 may progress to severe pulmonary disease, COVID-19. Currently, patients admitted to hospital because of COVID-19 have better prognosis than during the first period of the pandemic due to improved treatment. However, the overall societal susceptibility of being infected makes it pivotal to prevent severe courses of disease to avoid high mortality rates and collapse of the healthcare systems. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) self-care is used in chronic pulmonary disease and has been shown to prevent pneumonia in a high-risk cohort of patients with leukaemia. PEP flute self-care to prevent respiratory deterioration and hospitalisation in early COVID-19: a randomised trial (The PEP-CoV trial) examines the effectiveness on respiratory symptoms and need of hospital admission by regular PEP flute use among non-hospitalised individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 symptoms.Methods and analysisIn this randomised controlled trial, we hypothesise that daily PEP flute usage as add-on to usual care is superior to usual care as regards symptom severity measured by the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) at 30-day follow-up (primary outcome) and hospital admission through register data (secondary outcome). We expect to recruit 400 individuals for the trial. Participants in the intervention group receive a kit of 2 PEP flutes and adequate resistances and access to instruction videos. A telephone hotline offers possible contact to a nurse. The eight-item CAT score measures cough, phlegm, chest tightness, dyspnoea, activities of daily living at home, feeling safe at home despite symptoms, sleep quality and vigour. The CAT score is measured daily in both intervention and control arms by surveys prompted through text messages.Ethics and disseminationThe study was registered prospectively at www.clinicaltrials.gov on 27 August 2020 (NCT04530435). Ethical approval was granted by the local health research ethics committee (Journal number: H-20035929) on 23 July 2020. Enrolment of participants began on 6 October 2020. Results will be published in scientific journals.Trial registration numberNCT04530435; Pre-results.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e042627
Author(s):  
María Reina-Bueno ◽  
María del Carmen Vázquez-Bautista ◽  
Inmaculada C Palomo-Toucedo ◽  
Gabriel Domínguez-Maldonado ◽  
José Manuel Castillo-López ◽  
...  

IntroductionSystemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of heterogeneous involvement. The disease may affect feet with a high prevalence of symptoms such as, for example, pain, forefoot and rearfoot deformities, and biomechanics dysfunctions. Custom-made foot orthoses (CMFO) have been previously reported to be effective in patients with other rheumatic diseases. However, as far as the authors know, there exist no studies about their effectiveness in SLE. This study aims at determining the effect of CMFO versus placebo flat cushioning insoles on pain, foot functionality, fatigue and quality of life in patients with SLE.Methods and analysisA randomised controlled trial would compare the effects of (1) CMFO and group B, which received a placebo, flat cushioning insoles, for 3 months. The main outcome measures are foot pain, foot functionality and foot-related disability. The secondary outcome measures are fatigue and quality of life.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Portal de Ética de la Investigación Biomédica de Andalucía ethical committee 1494-N-19. The results will be disseminated regardless of the magnitude or direction of effect.Trial registartion numberClinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT04098055.


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