Clinical trial NCT04773860: Muscle Energy Techniques in COPD Patients
Official title: Muscle Energy Techniques in Chronic Obstructive Disease Patients: Effects on Pulmonary Function and Activities of Daily Living
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: NA
Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Keywords: COPD
METs
Muscle Energy Techniques
Dyspnoea
Activities of daily living
Lead sponsor: University of Malta
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2021-02-26
Enrollment: 110
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 40
Maximum age (years): 80
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Patients diagnosed with COPD
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Patients diagnosed with COPD as a result of hyperinflation adapt to the increased workload through shortening and overactivation of other muscles because of their dual function as muscles of the upper limb and neck motion which makes them limited in function and decreases the range of motion in these joints. Another resultant effect of these changes is the shortness of breath taking place following the inability of patients to perform daily activities.

Current research is focusing on the use of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) for such circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether METs result in an improvement in rib cage mobility which could potentially lead to improvements in pulmonary function and activities of daily of living (ADLs) in a group of patients diagnosed with COPD. If positive results are obtained, such an intervention might provide a possible addition to the evidence-based interventions already available for COPD patients. The result of this intervention may provide physiotherapists with further techniques for use in such patients; ones which will be of benefit to the patients and their quality of life and also to the health services.

Detailed description: Patients diagnosed with COPD as a result of hyperinflation adapt to the increased workload through shortening and overactivation of other muscles because of their dual function as muscles of the upper limb and neck motion which makes them limited in function and decreases the range of motion in these joints. Another resultant effect of these changes is the shortness of breath taking place following the inability of patients to perform daily activities.

Current research is focusing on the use of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) for such circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether METs result in an improvement in rib cage mobility which could potentially lead to improvements in pulmonary function and activities of daily of living (ADLs) in a group of patients diagnosed with COPD. If positive results are obtained, such an intervention might provide a possible addition to the evidence-based interventions already available for COPD patients. The result of this intervention may provide physiotherapists with further techniques for use in such patients; ones which will be of benefit to the patients and their quality of life and also to the health services.

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) shall be carried out on an approximate sample of 110 patients diagnosed with COPD. Participants shall be randomly assigned to an intervention and a control group. The intervention group shall be receiving a 4 week programme of Muscle Energy Techniques whereas the control group shall continue with their prescribed medications and any conventional physiotherapy sessions suggested for these patients.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. The patient has to have been diagnosed as suffering from COPD by a medical consultant,
2. Be medically stable with no exacerbations within the past 2 months and,
3. Be between the age range of 40 to 79 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis,
2. Musculoskeletal or neuromuscular pathology and,
3. Cognitive disability that could affect comprehension or execution of the intervention protocol or outcome measurements

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in Lung function test
timeFrame: Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
measure: Change in Chest expansion
timeFrame: Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
measure: Change in 6 Minute Walk Test
timeFrame: Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
measure: Change in Manchester Related Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire
timeFrame: Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
References: