Respiratory rate assessments using a dual-accelerometer device

Non-invasive monitoring of respiration-related thoracic movements may be useful for objective assessments of respiratory rate (RR). In sitting or recumbent normal volunteers, RR during spontaneous breathing, breathing at different frequencies and exercise hyperpnoea were obtained by visual inspection, spirometry and with a pair of capacitive tri-axial accelerometers positioned on torso. Signals from the accelerometers were differentiated and processed electronically and the resulting signal was used to assess respiration-related thoracic movement. Accelerometric devices may represent a useful tool for monitoring RR in the clinical setting, during both eupnoea and stressed breathing.