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Cycle-to-cycle variability attributed to the primary respiratory mechanism
1Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO 63501, USA.
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
|February 26, 1998
Summary
This study identified significant cycle-to-cycle variability in primary respiratory mechanism (PRM) wave forms, a parameter previously unreported. This variability may impact the reliability of past and future PRM research.
Area of Science:
- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
- Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The primary respiratory mechanism (PRM) is a concept in osteopathic medicine.
- Previous research has focused on PRM's rate but not its variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze PRM wave forms for an undescribed parameter: cycle-to-cycle variability.
- To assess the consistency and interexaminer agreement of PRM cycle duration measurements.
Main Methods:
- Independent measurement of PRM cycle durations from Viola Frymann's 1971 JAOA paper by two physicians.
- Calculation of cycle-to-cycle variability and minute rates.
Main Results:
- Significant cycle-to-cycle variability in PRM wave forms was observed, ranging from 0.6 to 6.3 seconds per cycle.
- Minute rates ranged from 6.5 to 13.8 cycles per minute (0.108–0.230 Hz).
- High consistency and interexaminer agreement were found in the measurements.
Conclusions:
- Cycle-to-cycle variability is a previously unreported characteristic of the PRM.
- This variability may have confounded previous interexaminer reliability studies.
- Further research into the causes and clinical significance of PRM variability is warranted.