Thoracoabdominal Asynchrony and Respiratory Distress

Last updated: July 9, 2026
Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Lung Injury

Respiratory Failure

Treatment

Objectively monitoring thoracoabdominal asynchrony

Clinical Study ID

NCT04626154
2019P001411
  • Ages 28-17
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The investigators hypothesize that a simple 3-point tracking device that uses motion sensors attached to the abdomen and chest of a child will provide information regarding thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA), a major component of respiratory distress, and ultimately help guide a clinician to initiate, escalate, de-escalate, or stop respiratory support interventions.

AIMS To determine if the TAA-monitoring device can be used to detect differences in respiratory synchrony in a manner that is clinically applicable. The investigators hope that the device will detect 1) major asynchrony events in a timely manner so as to prompt clinician intervention during future use; and 2) asynchrony events that may be less visible to the naked eye that may be precursors to more severe events.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. patients 28-days to 17-years of age

  2. who have respiratory distress and those who do not have respiratory distress

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

Hardware, clinical care, or dermal injury that would preclude the application of TAA device

Study Design

Total Participants: 20
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Objectively monitoring thoracoabdominal asynchrony
Phase:
Study Start date:
October 16, 2020
Estimated Completion Date:
June 01, 2029

Study Description

Respiratory diseases are a major global cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Of patients admitted into a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), respiratory illnesses have been identified as the leading principal admission diagnosis in every age group, accounting for 37.9% of patients under 12 months of age and 28.5% of PICU patients across all age groups. Continuous monitoring of respiratory status is important for the guidance of respiratory support escalation and de-escalation decisions in the PICU. A clinical metric that has been suggested as a signature of breathing effort is thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA), the non-coincident motion of the rib cage and abdomen during breathing. A reliable, objective assessment tool for continuous monitoring of respiratory effort could allow for a more complete understanding of patients' real-time respiratory status and provide an additional indication or contraindication for the utilization of various levels of respiratory support. Limiting the use of invasive ventilatory support by early detection of respiratory distress would decrease clinical risk to patients and has the potential to decrease the cost of patient stays in the PICU. The investigators have developed a non-invasive TAA-sensing device designed for use by clinicians to indirectly quantify respiratory effort among pediatric patients (henceforth referred to as the "TAA-monitoring device"). The device utilizes motion-tracking sensors that capture data that is then processed to provide a quantitative indication of a patient's respiratory status. Given the promising yet inconclusive nature of the evidence supporting the use of TAA as an indicator of respiratory effort, clinical validation of this device is a necessary step to take to support its continued development.

Connect with a study center

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts 02114
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

Map preview placeholder

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.