Forced Oscillation Technique:Reference Values for Total Respiratory Resistance Obtained With the Siemens Siregnost FD5

Total respiratory resistance (Rrs) was measured by the application of a sine wave of airflow to the mouth at an oscillation frequency of 10 Hz. The instrument used was the Siemens Siregnost FD5. The Rrs data were correlated with height, age, sex, and weight in 73 patients and 29 healthy subjects. The patients took part in a rehabilitation program for restoration of their locomotion function. Both groups had normal lung function (VC, FEV1) and no signs of pulmonary disease. The only important determining factor for the value of the Rrs was height. The mean Rrs of 102 subjects was 0.29 +/- 0.08 kPa.l-1.s. Other studies gave values between 0.23 +/- 0.05 and 0.32 +/- 0.10 kPa.l-1.s.