Activity and Fatigue of the Respiratory Muscles and Pulmonary Characteristics in Post-Polio Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Background: Early diagnosis of respiratory impairment in Post-Polio (PPS) patients may delay respiratory decline and future need of invasive respiratory aids. Objectives: To compare pulmonary function measures, maximal respiratory pressure and activity levels and fatigue of respiratory muscles between patients with PPS and healthy controls. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hadassah physical medicine and rehabilitation department, Jerusalem. Patients: Patients with PPS (N=12; 6 males; age 62.1±11.6 years) able to walk for 6 minutes without human assistance; age-matched healthy subjects (N=12; 4 males; age 62.2±6.5 years). Intervention: None. Measurements: A body plethysmograph was used to quantify forced expiratory volume in the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver, vital capacity, slow vital capacity, Residual Volume (RV), Total Lung Capacity (TLC), and Thoracic Gas Volume (TGV). Also, RV to TLC ratio is calculated. A manometer was used to measure Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP). A spirometer was used to measure Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded diaphragmatic muscle activity during rest and while performing MVV.

Official Title
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Comparison of Activity and Fatigue of the Respiratory Muscles and Pulmonary Characteristics Between Post-Polio Patients and Healthy Controls: A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Post-polio Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Electronyugraphy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with post-polio syndrome Able to walk for 6 minutes, with or without walking aids and orthotics but without human assistance Exclusion Criteria: Any neurological or orthopedic condition, unrelated to post-polio syndrome

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Diagnostic Test: Electronyugraphy|Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded diaphragmatic muscle activity during rest and while performing maximal voluntary ventilation|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median frequency of electromyography | measure related to fatigue measured during maximal voluntary ventilation | Two hours | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pulmonary function | Measured using a body plethysmograph | Two hours | 
| maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressures | Measured using ahand-held portable, digital manometer | Two hours |