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

BMJ Open Respir Res. 2020 Oct;7(1):e000694. doi: 10.1136/bmjresp-2020-000694.

Abstract

Introduction: Airway 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 analysis: This 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 dissemination: Ethics 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 numbers: ISRCTN11220163 and NCT02721498.

Keywords: cystic fibrosis; respiratory measurement.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial Protocol
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / therapy
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Sputum

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02721498