Use of high-frequency chest wall oscillation therapy in infants: protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled...

Since the inflammatory response increases the production and accumulation of mucus in the airways during respiratory infections, conventional and unconventional techniques of secretion removal are used. High-frequency chest wall oscillation is an effective strategy for secretion removal; however, it presents barriers due to the high cost. In Brazil, the Expector was developed using a kangaroo-vest interface as an accessible alternative; however, studies are needed to evaluate the use of Expector in infants. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and usability of the Expector device in healthy infants.

For this feasibility randomised controlled clinical trial, 30 participants aged 3-6 months will be divided into three groups. Two experimental groups will use the Expector device (kangaroo baby-carrier version) with different configurations of the minivibrating motors (ie, totally activated and upper half of motors activated). The device will be deactivated for the control group. The following parameters will be assessed before the test, every 5 min during 15 min of device use and for 15 min after its use: heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, pulmonary auscultation, sleep/wakefulness state, pain and parental satisfaction. Data will be described using measures of central tendency and dispersion and absolute and relative frequencies. Statistical analysis will be performed using correlation and intra- and intergroup comparisons. This study will generate preliminary evidence regarding the feasibility of Expector (kangaroo baby-carrier version) for infants and allow randomised and controlled studies using this technology.

The Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte approved this study (Number 5636504). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, scientific conference presentations and knowledge translation to the public via social media.

This feasibility randomised controlled clinical trial was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC) (Number RBR-5r8v8qz).