Effects of Breathing Exercises With and Without Inspiratory Muscle Training in COPD Patients
NCT Number: NCT06555445
Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
Phases: NA
Conditions: COPD
Interventions: OTHER: BREATHING EXERCISE|OTHER: BREATHING EXERCISE REGIMEN COUPLED WITH BREATHER DEVICE
Sponsor: Riphah International University
Sex: ALL
Age: ADULT
Enrollment: 46
Study Design: Allocation: RANDOMIZED|Intervention Model: PARALLEL|Masking: SINGLE (PARTICIPANT)|Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
Start Date: 2024-08-15
Completion Date: 2024-12-15
Locations: National Hospital and medical center, Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, 54000, Pakistan

Summary:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major health issue that affects a large proportion of the population, especially those over 50 years old. It is characterized by breathlessness and reduced lung function. It has been hypothesized that practicing specific breathing exercises could potentially alleviate these symptoms and enhance lung volumes and capacities. In addition, there is a lack of clarity on the effects of inspiratory muscle training along with these breathing exercises, warranting further investigation. To determine the effects of breathing exercises with and without inspiratory muscle training on dyspnea, lung volumes and lung capacities in COPD patients. A total of 46 patients, aged over 50, will be enrolled from National Hospital and medical center, Lahore and Ittefaq Hospital, Lahore. These patients will be randomly divided into two groups A and B: the first group will be assigned to perform only diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing exercises daily for 2 months. In contrast, the second group will also receive breather, which will involve inhaling through a mouthpiece with variable resistance and using breath-holding techniques. The trial will follow strict ethical guidelines, with all participants providing informed consent. Outcomes will be measured through pulmonary function tests and the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale. The study will also obtain the necessary approval from the respective ethical committees of the participating institutions. The data will be analyzed in SPSS 26.0.

Primary Outcome Measures: 6-minute Walk Test (6MWT), The 6MWT is a simple and widely used exercise test that measures functional capacity. It provides an objective measure of the patient's ability to perform daily activities and is reflective of submaximal level of functional capacity. In a 6- minute Walk Test (6MWT), the distance covered will depend on the individual's current physical health, age, sex, and other factors. On average, healthy adults may be able to walk between 400 and 700 meters in six minutes. However, individuals with COPD or other respiratory conditions might cover significantly less distance. The test is designed to measure the individual's functional capacity, with the goal being to increase this distance over time through appropriate interventions., baseline and fourth week|Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale:, The Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale is a self-reported scale that measures perceived exertion and breathlessness, also known as dyspnea. This scale plays a critical role in assessing how a patient's Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is affecting their quality of life and ability to carry out daily activities., baseline and fourth week