The ACoUSTiC study 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The ACoUSTiC study - Exploring the potential benefits of Above CUff VocaliSation in TraCheostomy: communication, swallowing, decannulation and cost savings
IRAS ID
269774
Contact name
Claire Mills
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
People who require a tracheostomy, or a breathing tube, are often unable to speak, eat or drink for long periods during their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). This inability to speak is caused by an inflated balloon, surrounding tube, which prevents air from moving from the lungs through the voice box. This lack of airflow through the voice box and throat can also lead to difficulties swallowing. Not being able to speak, eat or drink leads to extreme levels of distress and frustration for patients and their relatives. Above Cuff Vocalisation is a treatment which uses the breathing tube itself to blow air into the windpipe, and up through the voice box. This flow of air can allow the person to voice and can improve swallowing.
This study involves interviewing people, who are receiving or have received Above Cuff Vocalisation during their ICU stay, and their relatives or carers. It aims to find out peoples’ experiences of using ACV and what they think of it as a treatment. Interviews will last around 30 minutes and, for people who have left hospital, will be carried out on the telephone or via Skype. People who are current inpatients will be interviewed face-to-face in hospital. We will interview a minimum of 12 patients and 12 relatives or carers, but will continue to interview people until no new information is gathered (data saturation is achieved). Participants will also be asked to complete two short quality of life questionnaires.
This research is vital to find out more about what patients think about this treatment and to identify how best to use Above Cuff Vocalisation. This will allow the development of an Above Cuff Vocalisation treatment programme for further research so that the quality of life for individuals with tracheostomies can be improved.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0404
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion