Author: Dr. Emily Dykstra, RMUoHP Assistant Director of Institutional Research
It is reported that tobacco related products cause almost 500,000 deaths each year (Schmerling, 2019). E-cigarettes, or vaping, are often perceived as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, but little is known about the long-term impact of vaping. A research team at Rocky Mountain University of Health Profession (RMUoHP) has devised a study protocol to examine differences in voice, pulmonary, and vascular function between a control group and regular vapers.
The research team is led by Dr. Phil Sechtem, a faculty member in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program. Joining him are two of the University’s MS-SLP students, Brad Scherck and Jessie Le, as well as an RMUoHP PhD student and Research Assistant, Sarah Fretti.
Research Protocol
In a matched-pairs analysis, the control group will go through the protocol one time, while the vapers will be examined before and after a vaping session. Acoustic/voice data will be collected through the MS-SLP speech lab and will include measurements of jitter, shimmer, mean fundamental frequency, noise-to-harmonic ratio, and the cepstral peak prominence.
Pulmonary/lung function testing will involve inhaling and exhaling into a digital spirometer to obtain measures of tidal volume, vital capacity, and forced expiratory volumes. Vascular testing will consist of an assessment of resting blood pressure and a flow-mediated dilation using Doppler ultrasound.
Personal Insights
I was given back-stage access to this study by Research Assistant Sarah Fretti and was able to observe a subject undergoing a Doppler ultrasound test, which measures the force and dilation of an artery in addition to providing blood pressure. By directly targeting an artery, researchers are allowed a deeper understanding of the vascular health of the subject because the inner lining of blood vessels are thought to be affected by smoking traditional cigarettes and contribute to cardiovascular disease.
During my visit they also put a spirometer, a mask with a tube attached, on the subject. (The spirometer makes one feel much like an elephant.) This device allows researchers and healthcare professionals to both test the lung capacity and the force behind exhaling and inhaling, which are also adversely affected from traditional cigarette use.
Healthcare Contributions
In May 2019, Dr. Sechtem and his team received an RMUoHP Internal Research Grant to continue data collection. The study was also submitted to American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to present findings at the National ASHA Convention this November.
Dr. Sechtem and his team hypothesize that data will significantly differ between control and vaping subjects, as well as before and after vaping, suggesting the acute onset of potential temporary impairments in each function measured. Further, they hope the results of this study may provide evidence for wiser and healthier clinical, societal, and individualized practices and behaviors.
Watch for additional updates as we discover the impact of vaping on well-being!
References
Schmerling, R. 2017. Can vaping help you quit smoking? Harvard Medical School. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-vaping-help-you-quit-smoking-2019022716086
