Investigating the effect of targeted chest physiotherapy on acute lung collapse in mechanically ventilated neonates using lung ultrasound..
Measuring the effect of CPT on lung collapse in preterm infants is currently done using measurement tools such as a stethoscope and changes in an infant’s vital signs and breathing support. These tools give physiotherapists some information about how well the lungs are working, but they do not always provide all the detail needed to know if a lung collapse has resolved.
This research project will use a measurement tool that has not been used before in preterm infants to measure CPT, called lung ultrasound (LUS). Like a chest x-ray, LUS is able to provide an image of what is happening in the lungs. However, LUS does not expose infants to any radiation, and it has also been shown to be very safe and quick to perform in preterm infants. To determine whether LUS can improve the way physiotherapists measure the effect of CPT on lung collapse in preterm babies, LUS will be used in addition to currently used CPT tools to compare whether what we can see using LUS matches how your baby’s lung sound and function.
What you need to know
Who can take part?
We will be interested in preterm infants who are receiving breathing support on a ventilator, and who undergo CPT for the treatment of lung collapse.
What is involved?
A LUS will be performed on your baby to scan their lungs and detect any changes, including lung collapse. A physiotherapist will also listen to your baby’s lungs using a stethoscope and record your baby’s vital signs and breathing support. Your baby will then continue their normal clinical care and CPT treatment. After CPT is finished, the physiotherapist will use LUS to scan your baby’s lung and listen to their breathing again. Your baby’s measurements taken by the LUS, stethoscope and breathing machine will be compared before starting CPT, immediately after CPT and at 4 hours, to see what effect CPT has on lung collapse.
