Current methods for continuous respiration monitoring such as respiratory inductive or optoelectronic plethysmography are limited to clinical or research settings; most wearable systems reported only measures respiration rate. Here we introduce a wearable sensor capable of simultaneously measuring both respiration rate and volume with high fidelity. Our disposable respiration sensor with a Band-Aid© like formfactor can measure both respiration rate and volume by simply measuring the local strain of the ribcage and abdomen during breathing. We demonstrate that both metrics are highly correlated to measurements from a medical grade continuous spirometer on participants at rest. Additionally, we also show that the system is capable of detecting respiration under various ambulatory conditions. Because these low-powered piezo-resistive sensors can be integrated with wireless Bluetooth units, they can be useful in monitoring patients with chronic respiratory diseases in everyday settings.

Background Poor communications between cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and health-care providers may result in gaps in knowledge and misconceptions about medication usage, and can lead to poor adherence. We aimed to assess the feasibility of using WhatsApp and Skype to improve communications. Methods This single-centre pilot study included CF patients who were older than eight years of age assigned to two groups: one without intervention (control group), and one with intervention. Each patient from the intervention group received Skype-based online video chats and WhatsApp messages from members of the multidisciplinary CF team. CF questionnaires, revised (CFQ-R) scores, knowledge and adherence based on CF My Way and patients satisfaction were evaluated before and after three months. Feasibility was assessed by session attendance, acceptability and satisfaction survey. Descriptive analysis and paired and non-paired t-tests were used as applicable. Results Eighteen patients were recruited to this feasibility study (nine in each group). Each intervention group participant had between four and six Skype video chats and received 22-45 WhatsApp messages. In this small study, CFQ-R scores, knowledge, adherence and patient satisfaction were similar in both groups before and after the three-month intervention. Conclusions A telehealth-based approach, using Skype video chats and WhatsApp messages, was feasible and acceptable in this pilot study. A larger and longer multi-centre study is warranted to examine the efficacy of these interventions to improve knowledge, adherence and communication.

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Objective To evaluate the relationship of fitness and obesity on asthma risk in adolescent girls and boys. Study design A cross-sectional assessment of participants 12–19 years of age was conducted using data from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants completed cardiorespiratory fitness testing, body composition measurements, and respiratory questionnaires. Results A total of 4828 participants were included. Overweight/obesity was associated with increased odds of history of asthma (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.16, 2.31), current asthma (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.15, 2.72), and wheezing (aOR 1.40, 95 % CI 1.01, 1.95) in girls. Overweight/obesity was also associated with increased odds of asthma attacks (aOR 2.78, 95% CI 1.59, 4.86) and wheezing related to exercise (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.09, 2.46) in girls. High fitness was associated with lower odds of asthma-related ED visits (aOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07, 0.88), wheezing-related medical visits (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13, 0.75), wheezing-related missed days (aOR 0.14, 95% CI 0.06, 0.33), and wheezing related to exercise (aOR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24, 0.76) in boys. Conclusion Overweight/obesity is associated with increased asthma prevalence and morbidity in girls but not in boys, independent of fitness. High fitness is associated with decreased rates of asthma morbidity in boys but not in girls, independent of weight status. Obesity and fitness may each influence asthma onset and severity in different ways for boys versus girls.