A pilot study for development of a pulmonary function test induction jacket to automate effort in performing the forced vital capacity manoeuvre.

The pulmonary function test (PFT) induction jacket was invented to make the process of performing the forced vital capacity (FVC) manoeuvre with a computerized spirometer effortless and productive for both the patient and the medical practitioner. The jacket is composed of three layers of PVC material sealed together to form a single jacket with two chambers. The inner chamber is formed between the inner layer and the middle layer, in which cold water at a temperature of 10 °C is circulated using a connected water unit when triggered. Similarly, the outer chamber is formed between the middle layer and the outer layer, in which air is pressurized using a connected air unit. Thirty volunteers performed the FVC manoeuvre with and without wearing the jacket. There was no difference between the results in spirometry parameters in the participants without a jacket and those with a jacket. However, use of the jacket significantly reduced the number of trials the participants had to undergo to perform spirometry. The jacket automated the FVC manoeuvre by triggering a physiological inspiratory gasp using cold water and circumscribing pressurized air for expiration. Additionally, subsequent advancements in the jacket have been suggested.

Submental Muscle Activation During Lingual Tasks in Healthy Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Lingual strengthening exercises are established to improve lingual function, thereby oral swallowing. This study measured submental muscle activation during maximum isometric pressure (MIP) lingual tasks in healthy adults, tasks that are or can be adopted in lingual strengthening exercises. In addition, the effects of age and gender on submental muscle activation are examined. METHOD: Forty-nine participants between the ages of 18 to 35 years and greater than 60 years were included in the study. Participants completed trials of intraoral MIP lingual elevation, protrusion, and depression, during which submental muscle activation was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG). Peak amplitude measures were normalized and log transformed, following which a three-way ANOVA was performed. RESULTS: Peak amplitudes of submental muscle activation were highest during lingual MIP protrusion, followed by lingual depression, and were least during lingual elevation. No significant differences in peak amplitudes were observed between older and younger adults, but higher peak amplitudes were recorded in women. CONCLUSION: The differential effects of lingual task, age, and gender on peak submental muscle activation are examined. The potential impact of incorporating tasks adopted in this study in lingual strengthening exercises to improve oral and pharyngeal swallowing is discussed.