Oscillometry: clinical significance and applications

Respiratory oscillometry (or the forced oscillation technique) is a highly practical lung function test that can be applied in a wide range of clinical scenarios in children and adults, including the clinic, intensive care unit, patient home monitoring and emergency departments. Oscillometry measurements complement spirometry in detecting abnormal lung function, measuring effects of treatment such as inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators, and changes due to disease activity. Use of oscillometry is informed by a large body of evidence showing strong clinical associations, high reproducibility and high signal-to-noise ratio. Oscillometry’s practical implementation is supported by the European Respiratory Society technical standards document and availability of commercial hardware. Oscillometry research continues to accelerate, further supporting its clinical use and developing parameters that will add to its clinical utility. This chapter summarises the current state of the art of the clinical application of oscillometry, which demonstrates why it is ready for routine clinical use.