Respiratory rehabilitation

Cluster lead: Professor Anne Bruton

The respiratory rehabilitation cluster comprises two research programmes:  Breathing Research (led by Anne Bruton) and Imaging Research (led by Joy Conway) - both involve academics, clinicians, scientists and students from diverse backgrounds. Breathing Research supports a range of projects from basic physiological investigations to therapeutic trials. Imaging Research specialises in the application of its expertise in particle science and imaging technology.

Our respiratory research extends from laboratory-based studies of physiological mechanisms of normal respiratory function and dysfunction to development of clinical and home-based respiratory rehabilitation therapies and technologies. We develop and apply technologies for diagnosis, monitoring and therapy and through qualitative research explore patient adherence to respiratory rehabilitation therapies. As part of our research we conduct clinical trials of innovative imaging techniques and treatment effectiveness.

Respiratory research at the Faculty of Health Sciences is linked closely with the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, and the Southampton NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit (SBRU), a multidisciplinary team of clinical and academic researchers. Our projects involve active collaboration with research institutions in the UK and worldwide, with the commercial and voluntary sectors, and with user representatives and groups.

Our respiratory rehabilitation research programmes

Our 5 key research themes

Developing objective respiratory assessment and monitoring tools

Computer aided interpretation of spatial information within the lung

Elucidating physiological mechanisms of function to inform therapy

New respiratory therapy techniques and patient centred approaches

Investigating non-pharmacological approaches in respiratory rehabilitation

We are recognised internationally for technological developments and innovative applications in imaging techniques, computerised lung sound analysis, portable oxygen therapy devices and respiratory rehabilitation techniques for asthma.