Easy Breather Exercise Table: A Feasibility Evaluation of a Medical Device to Facilitate Gravity Powered Ventilation
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
PURPOSE: Investigate if the Easy Breather Exercise Table (EBET) prototype is suitable for clinical studies in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). METHODS: The EBET bed uses arm power to tilt the supine subject from a Trendelenburg to a reverse-Trendelenburg position with the goal of assisting breathing. Healthy volunteers (N=40) operated the device for 15 minutes. Variables of interest: A body part discomfort scale (0 = no discomfort to 5 = very uncomfortable) administered at 0 and 13 minutes, a Borg scale rating of perceived exertion (0 to 10) at 14 minutes, and an end-of-session safety rating. RESULTS: Areas with the greatest discomfort at minute 13 and the associated percent reaching ≥ level 3 follow: Left elbow (5%), right elbow (5%), left wrist (23%), right wrist (28%), left hand (16%), and right hand (15%). Of these body parts, there was a significant (p ≤ 0.01) increase in discomfort from 0 to 13 minutes. Regarding exertion: 33% reported moderate to somewhat strong levels, while 13% reported strong levels. In terms of safety, 98% felt safe on the device, and 2% were undecided. CONCLUSIONS: Further clinical studies with the current EBET in COPD patients are not advised due to the discomfort and exertion in healthy volunteers. Safety data indicates tilting may be a viable means to achieve gravity powered ventilation, thus device modification is recommended.
