ELECTROVEST: Electro-Stimulation Vibratory Vest for Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Overview

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.