초록
In case of PAS test, the air is sometimes leaked although the mask is tightly attached to the face, which is not reliable on the measured values. Therefore, this study aimed to assist the clinical practice suggesting the test method of PAS without air leakage. In the healthy subjects with 12 males and 12 females over 19 years old, three types of tests were performed on the voicing efficiency among the protocol of PAS Model 6600. They are; first, to attach the mask tightly to the face holding the handle of PAS with the subject's two hands (Method 1); second, to attach the mask tightly to the face holding the handle of PAS with the subject's one hand and pushing the body of PAS strongly with the other hand (Method 2); and third, to attach the mask tightly to the face pushing the upper part of the mask by the tester when the subject attached the mask to his or her face holding the handle of PAS with two hands (Method 3). Upon the study analyses, the mean negative pressure, the mean phonogram, subglottic air pressure, and voicing efficiency were shown to be statistically significantly different during PAS test in males depending on the methods. (p<.05) In case of females, only the target airflow rate showed significant difference depending on the methods during PAS test. (p<.001) In conclusion, Method 2 enhanced the noise level and strength while Method 1 was likely to leak the air more compared to the other two methods in males. In case of females, Method 1 showed significant leakage of the air flow. Not to allow the air flow leakage without affecting the outcome of PAS test, it will be the most useful for the tester to push the mask to the subject's face tightly (Method 3).
