Computer aided lung sound analysis: a preliminary study to assess its potential as a new outcome measure for respiratory therapy

Marques, A., Bruton, A. and Barney, A. (2009) Computer aided lung sound analysis: a preliminary study to assess its potential as a new outcome measure for respiratory therapy. Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics (HEALTHINF), Porto, Portugal. 14 - 17 Jan 2009. pp. 251-256 .

Abstract

A barrier to assess the relative effectiveness of respiratory therapies has been insufficient accurate, reliable, and sensitive outcome measures. Lung sounds provide useful information for assessing and monitoring respiratory patients. However, standard auscultation is too subjective to allow them to be used as an outcome measure. In this paper, Computer Aided Lung Sound Analysis (CALSA) characterising crackles’ Initial Deflection Width (IDW) and Two Cycle Deflection (2CD) is proposed as a potential
objective, non-invasive, bedside outcome measure to assess the response to alveolar recruitment and airway
clearance interventions. A preliminary ‘repeated measures’ experimental study was conducted. Seventeen
participants with cystic fibrosis were recruited from out-patient clinics. Demographic, anthropometric and lung sound data were collected. The intra-subject reliability of crackles’ IDW and 2CD was found to be ‘good’ to ‘excellent’, estimated by the Analysis of Variance, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement and Smallest Real Difference. It is concluded that crackle IDW and 2CD detected by CALSA are reliable and stable measures. In future, CALSA may be useful for assessing and monitoring respiratory interventions in clinical settings.

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Contributors

Author: A. Bruton

Author: A. Barney

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