NCT04773860

Muscle Energy Techniques in COPD Patients

Muscle Energy Techniques in Chronic Obstructive Disease Patients: Effects on Pulmonary Function and Activities of Daily Living

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 110 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Malta · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 40 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Conditions

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Muscle Energy Techniques	A 4 week intervention will be carried out consisting of Muscle Energy Techniques on the accessory muscle of respiration. That is, Pectoralis Minor, Sternocleidomastoid, Upper trapezius, Scalene muscles and Latissimus Dorsi

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-02-23
• Primary completion: 2022-09-30
• Completion: 2023-06-30
• First posted: 2021-02-26
• Last updated: 2021-02-26