ELECTROVEST: Electro-Stimulation Vibratory Vest for Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Respiratory Diseases
ELECTROVEST: Electro-Stimulation Vibratory Vest for Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Respiratory Diseases
This study will evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of a novel wearable device, the ELECTROVEST, designed to improve airway clearance in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The ELECTROVEST will integrate high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) with surface neuromuscular electrostimulation. This crossover clinical trial will compare the performance of the ELECTROVEST with a standard HFCWO vest (The Vest®) in adult patients. Primary outcomes will include sputum expectoration and patient-reported comfort. The study will aim to determine whether this new system can optimize bronchial hygiene.
This is a prospective, crossover pilot study designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of a novel respiratory therapy device, ELECTROVEST, in adult patients diagnosed with chronic respiratory diseases featuring bronchial hypersecretion, such as COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and asthma.
ELECTROVEST is a wearable vest that integrates high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) with surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). This dual-action therapy aims to enhance airway clearance while also stimulating respiratory musculature.
The study will enroll 20 patients, using a non-probabilistic, intentional sampling strategy. Each participant will undergo two intervention phases, acting as their own control. The phases are separated by a 30-day washout period to minimize carryover effects.
Phase 1 (ELECTROVEST intervention): Participants receive standard fluid and aerosol therapy followed by vibratory therapy delivered by the ELECTROVEST device. Sessions include:
Warm-up phase: 2 minutes at 4 Hz
Active treatment: 16 minutes at 8 Hz
Cool-down phase: 2 minutes at 4 Hz
Phase 2 (Control intervention): Participants receive the same fluid and aerosol therapy, followed by vibratory therapy using standard HFCWO systems (The Vest® Model 105 ). The session follows:
Warm-up: 2 minutes at 13 Hz
Active treatment: 16 minutes at 20 Hz
Cool-down: 2 minutes at 13 Hz
Both interventions are conducted under clinical supervision. The effects will be assessed through pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, sputum analysis, oxygenation and hemodynamics, patient-reported symptoms, and blood biomarkers.
Pulmonary function and muscle strength will be measured before and 10 minutes after each intervention (FEV₁, DLCO, PImax, PEmax, SNIP). Sputum production and quality will be assessed by weight and purulence (Murray scale). Exercise tolerance will be evaluated via the 6-minute walk test.
Blood markers will be obtained before and 48 hours after each intervention, including:
Creatine phosphokinase (CPK-MM, CPK-BB)
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Peripheral leukocyte count
Creatinine, urea, albumin
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
Venous lactate
Monitoring during sessions includes:
Oxygen saturation (SpO₂)
Heart rate
Discomfort and dyspnea assessed via a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-10), recorded at baseline, 5 minutes, and post-treatment.
This trial aims to identify physiological responses, tolerability, and short-term safety signals, while generating preliminary data on the potential dual utility of the ELECTROVEST device as a mucociliary clearance and respiratory muscle stimulation therapy.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: