Technical standards for respiratory oscillometry

This technical standard is an update of the 2003 European Respiratory Society (ERS) technical standards document. The standard covers oscillometry (also known as the forced oscillation technique), which measures the mechanical properties of the respiratory system (upper and intrathoracic airways, lung tissue and chest wall) during quiet tidal breathing, by the application of an oscillating pressure signal (input or forcing signal), most commonly at the mouth. With increased clinical and research use, it is critical that all technical details of the hardware design, signal processing and analyses, and testing protocols are transparent and clearly reported to allow standardisation, comparison and replication of clinical and research studies. The standard was produced by an ERS task force of experts who are active in clinical oscillometry research.