Effects of SIMEOX on Flow and Volume in Healthy Subjects and Patients With COPD

Evaluation of SIMEOX Technology on Volumes and Flows Generated in Healthy Subjects and Patients With COPD

This study will investigate the effects on the SIMEOX technology on flow and volume generated in healthy subjects and patients with COPD

This is a crossover study assessing the immediate physiological effects of SIMEOX and a PEP device on the exhalation phase in healthy subjects and patients with COPD.

Participants will perform (1) a slow vital capacity, (2) a maximal expiration from total lung capacity to residual volume with SIMEOX, (3) a maximal expiration from total lung capacity to residual volume with a PEP device.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy subjects: able to understand the instructions, no acute or chronic respiratory upper or lower airway disease, normal lung function.
• Patients with COPD: able to understand the instructions; FEV1<80% predicted value, naive to the SIMEOX device.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Healthy subjects: obesity (BMI > 30kg/m²); active or former smoker; severe scoliosis; cardiovascular or neuromuscular disease.
• Patients with COPD: obesity (BMI > 30kg/m²); severe scoliosis; cardiovascular or neuromuscular disease.