Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility study

IntroductionPositional management is important in respiratory rehabilitation. Current magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques for visualizing respiratory mechanics are limited by external pressure from receiver coils or spatial restrictions within the bore, and there is no established method for...

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Main Authors: Masaaki Kobayashi, Hideyuki Fukubayashi, Katsuma Iwai, Kazumo Miura, Akio Yamamoto, Kumiko Ono, Akinori Miki, Takashi Ueguchi, Akira Ishikawa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1540183/full
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author Masaaki Kobayashi
Masaaki Kobayashi
Hideyuki Fukubayashi
Katsuma Iwai
Kazumo Miura
Akio Yamamoto
Kumiko Ono
Akinori Miki
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Akira Ishikawa
author_facet Masaaki Kobayashi
Masaaki Kobayashi
Hideyuki Fukubayashi
Katsuma Iwai
Kazumo Miura
Akio Yamamoto
Kumiko Ono
Akinori Miki
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Akira Ishikawa
author_sort Masaaki Kobayashi
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionPositional management is important in respiratory rehabilitation. Current magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques for visualizing respiratory mechanics are limited by external pressure from receiver coils or spatial restrictions within the bore, and there is no established method for visualizing respiratory movements in the semi-prone position. Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel MR imaging and analysis method for visualizing thoracic movements during free breathing, enabling assessment of positional effects.MethodsFive healthy male participants were enrolled. MR images were obtained in the supine and semi-prone positions using a fast imaging sequence, allowing for continuous dynamic imaging during deep breathing. Subsequently, an image processing pipeline was applied to enhance visibility. The thoracic expansion was measured and compared between the two positions. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility and test-retest reproducibility were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).ResultsThe proposed method enabled successful dynamic visualization of thoracic movements without using a receiver coil. A significant difference in thoracic expansion between the supine and semi-prone positions was observed in the head-foot and right-left directions. Head-foot expansion was greater in the supine position, while right-left expansion was greater in the semi-prone position. No significant differences were found in the anterior-posterior direction. Both intra- and interobserver reproducibility were high, with ICCs exceeding 0.9 for most thoracic expansion measurements. Test-retest reproducibility also demonstrated high agreement for most measurements, with ICCs ranging from 0.74 to 0.97 across different directions and positions.ConclusionThe developed MR imaging method allows for noninvasive visualization of thoracic movements during natural breathing with robust reproducibility. This method could provide valuable insights into respiratory mechanics, supporting its clinical application in respiratory rehabilitation.
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spelling doaj-art-3051908e19044bdfb73ab2acbf26374d2025-08-20T03:03:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences2673-68612025-08-01610.3389/fresc.2025.15401831540183Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility studyMasaaki Kobayashi0Masaaki Kobayashi1Hideyuki Fukubayashi2Katsuma Iwai3Kazumo Miura4Akio Yamamoto5Kumiko Ono6Akinori Miki7Takashi Ueguchi8Takashi Ueguchi9Takashi Ueguchi10Takashi Ueguchi11Akira Ishikawa12Kobe Co-Medical College, Kobe, JapanKobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, JapanKobe Co-Medical College, Kobe, JapanKobe Co-Medical College, Kobe, JapanKobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, JapanKobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, JapanKobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, JapanKobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, JapanKobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, JapanCenter for Information and Neural Networks, Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Suita, JapanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, JapanDepartment of Medical Imaging Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, JapanKobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, JapanIntroductionPositional management is important in respiratory rehabilitation. Current magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques for visualizing respiratory mechanics are limited by external pressure from receiver coils or spatial restrictions within the bore, and there is no established method for visualizing respiratory movements in the semi-prone position. Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel MR imaging and analysis method for visualizing thoracic movements during free breathing, enabling assessment of positional effects.MethodsFive healthy male participants were enrolled. MR images were obtained in the supine and semi-prone positions using a fast imaging sequence, allowing for continuous dynamic imaging during deep breathing. Subsequently, an image processing pipeline was applied to enhance visibility. The thoracic expansion was measured and compared between the two positions. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility and test-retest reproducibility were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).ResultsThe proposed method enabled successful dynamic visualization of thoracic movements without using a receiver coil. A significant difference in thoracic expansion between the supine and semi-prone positions was observed in the head-foot and right-left directions. Head-foot expansion was greater in the supine position, while right-left expansion was greater in the semi-prone position. No significant differences were found in the anterior-posterior direction. Both intra- and interobserver reproducibility were high, with ICCs exceeding 0.9 for most thoracic expansion measurements. Test-retest reproducibility also demonstrated high agreement for most measurements, with ICCs ranging from 0.74 to 0.97 across different directions and positions.ConclusionThe developed MR imaging method allows for noninvasive visualization of thoracic movements during natural breathing with robust reproducibility. This method could provide valuable insights into respiratory mechanics, supporting its clinical application in respiratory rehabilitation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1540183/fullmagnetic resonance imagingthoracic movementdynamic imagingsemi-prone positionrespiratory mechanicspositional therapy
spellingShingle Masaaki Kobayashi
Masaaki Kobayashi
Hideyuki Fukubayashi
Katsuma Iwai
Kazumo Miura
Akio Yamamoto
Kumiko Ono
Akinori Miki
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Takashi Ueguchi
Akira Ishikawa
Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility study
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
magnetic resonance imaging
thoracic movement
dynamic imaging
semi-prone position
respiratory mechanics
positional therapy
title Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility study
title_full Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility study
title_fullStr Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility study
title_full_unstemmed Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility study
title_short Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility study
title_sort novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion a pilot feasibility study
topic magnetic resonance imaging
thoracic movement
dynamic imaging
semi-prone position
respiratory mechanics
positional therapy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1540183/full
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