Interface design for indirect calorimetry in children with cerebral palsy

The purpose of this study was to design, construct, and validate an alternative subject/instrument interface to collect metabolic data for individuals who, because of impairment, are unable to use a mouthpiece. An industrial designer directed the development of an interface design which would facilitate subject acceptance. A total of 13 subjects (eight children with cerebral palsy and five nonneurologically impaired) participated in the validation study. Metabolic data were collected at rest and during three levels of exercise, using both the traditional mouthpiece and the interface designed for this study. Exercise intensities were matched for both experimental conditions. Subjects exercised using an electrically braked ergometer configured for arm pedaling. A modification in a Beckman Metabolic Cart allowed for the collection of values with a standard mouthpiece and low-flow interface. Validity of the interface was evaluated using a concurrent, criterion procedure. Correlations of mouthpiece vs interface data during rest and across each exercise level for oxygen consumption were high (r = 0.94 to 0.84; p less than 0.05). Similar results were obtained for carbon dioxide production (r = 0.92 to 0.85; p less than 0.05).