{
  "abstract": "Introduction Spirometry is an essential pulmonary function test (PFT), providing precise measurements of lung function. It is used diagnostically, for management of respiratory disease, and is an outcome measure in many respiratory trials. While delegated research co-ordinators can perform spirometry with study-specific training, more specialised PFTs traditionally required arrangements with clinical pulmonary function departments.Reliance on clinical departments has limitations, including restricted testing times, fixed locations and the requirement for additional visits. These constraints increase participant burden and can result in missed data.Methods In 2023, the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility (NICRF) purchased the MGC Ultima Cardio2 cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) equipment system including treadmill and bike. This was followed in 2024 by the MGC Platinum Elite body plethysmograph and in 2025 by the MGC CPFS/D USB™ portable spirometer. All equipment operates on a single software platform compliant with ATS/ERS standards and utilises shared consumables, improving consistency, quality assurance and efficiency across trials.The recruitment of a respiratory research physiologist in 2024 enabled the development and delivery of an in-house cardio-respiratory research service. A service development plan is underway, including costing for staff time, consumables and resources. A physiologist-led training programme is being developed to provide research-specific training, hands on equipment use, and supervised study spirometry. This programme will be piloted with eight staff members from different research teams, with course evaluations used to refine future delivery.Results A recent asthma study completed over sixty CPET assessments without the need for external clinical resources. This supported the completion of a PhD and generated valuable findings relevant to asthma services. The PFT equipment supported nine studies within the past year. Following installation, all testing was completed within scheduled study visits eliminating need for additional appointments. With increasing demand for specialist PFTs, these services are now offered at feasibility stage.Conclusions The NICRF can deliver in-house specialist PFTs and CPET tailored to research protocols, reducing reliance on clinical services and improving trial efficiency and enhancing participant experience. This model demonstrates the value of physiologist-led cardio-respiratory services within a research setting and supports the expansion of respiratory physiology roles in research delivery.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Wellcome-Wolfson Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Michelle Spence"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Wellcome-Wolfson Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Rebecca McLeese"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Wellcome-Wolfson Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Áine Redfern-Walsh"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Wellcome-Wolfson Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Alison Clinton"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Wellcome-Wolfson Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Judy Bradley"
    }
  ],
  "title": "O2 Developing an in-house physiologist-led cardio-respiratory research service",
  "uid": "4f197966-faeb-5e99-9808-41ba385bd131"
}