Research Protocol: Evaluating the Efficacy of the 'Shirt-Cough' Technique for Respiratory Containment

Title Research Protocol: Evaluating the Efficacy of the 'Shirt-Cough' Technique for Respiratory Containment Description Abstract The mitigation of respiratory pathogen transmission remains a critical challenge in global public health. While pharmaceutical interventions such as vaccination are pivotal, Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) constitute the first line of defense against emerging infectious diseases. Current respiratory etiquette guidelines, specifically the recommendation to cough into the cubital fossa (elbow) or a tissue, possess inherent mechanical and behavioral limitations that compromise their efficacy. This research proposal outlines a comprehensive, randomized crossover trial to evaluate a novel containment technique: the "Shirt-Cough" method. This technique involves the retraction of the anterior neckline to create a sealed plenum chamber for the reception of high-velocity respiratory effluents. We propose to quantify droplet dispersion, aerosol leakage, and surface contamination of this method against standard protocols using high-speed Schlieren imaging, laser diffraction particle counting, and microbiological surface assays. By establishing the fluid dynamic efficacy and fomite reduction potential of this method, this study aims to provide the empirical basis for an update to global respiratory hygiene guidelines, offering a zero-cost, ubiquitous intervention for infection control. Study Overview This upload contains the full research protocol and experimental design for a proposed study comparing three respiratory hygiene interventions: The Manual Block (Coughing into hands) The Cubital Fossa Block (Coughing into the elbow/sleeve) The Shirt-Cough (Coughing into the retracted neckline) The protocol details the methodology for using Z-type Schlieren imaging to visualize thermal plumes and laser diffraction spectrometry (TSI APS/OPS) to measure particle breakthrough at 0.5m, 1.0m, and 2.0m intervals. Keywords Respiratory Etiquette, Infection Control, Public Health, Fluid Dynamics, Aerosol Transmission, COVID-19, Influenza, NPI, Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions, Schlieren Imaging, Fomite Transmission. Notes This is a research protocol and proposal for a randomized crossover trial. Data collection has not yet commenced. Contact Paul Hallelujah paul.hallelujah@queensu.ca