NCT06389734

Combining Manual Soft Tissue Release and Exercise Training in COPD: the Effect on LF, EC, and CAF

The Effects of Combining Manual Soft Tissue Release and Physical Exercise Training on Lung Function(LF), Exercise Capacity(EC), and Cardiac Autonomic Function(CAF) in Moderate to Severe COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 70 (actual)
• Sponsor: National Cheng Kung University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The potential effects of combining manual soft tissue release and physical exercise training on lung function, exercise capacity, and cardiac autonomic function in patients with moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were investigated.

Detailed description

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly presents with accessory respiratory muscle tightness and weakness, affecting chest wall compliance and lung elasticity. However, traditional physical therapy interventions, including pursed-lip breathing, sputum clearance techniques, and respiratory muscle training, are often used in treatment guidelines, with few studies focusing on muscle release for the accessory respiratory muscles. Although the effects of manual therapy on lung function and chest tightness in COPD have been demonstrated, the effects of soft tissue release combined with exercise intervention on COPD, including lung function, exercise capacity, and cardiac autonomic function, remain unknown. Therefore, this study proposes a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of manual soft tissue release combined with exercise training on lung function, exercise capacity, and cardiac autonomic function in patients with COPD. It is expected that the results of this study will demonstrate that combining manual soft tissue release with exercise training may increase gas exchange in the lungs, reduce respiratory effort, improve co-morbidities, delay disease progression, and enhance patient quality of life and clinical intervention.

Conditions

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Manual Soft Tissue Release
• Exercise Training
• Lung Function
• Exercise Capacity
• Cardiac Autonomic Function

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Manual soft tissue release	The manual soft tissue release includes muscle energy techniques and passive stretching, targeting the anterior scalene, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and diaphragm. Three times a week for six weeks, with three rounds per session, each session having three repetitions, with a 30-second break in between, lasting 15 to 30 seconds each time.
BEHAVIORAL	Myofascial release	The myofascial release includes suboccipital muscle, anterior chest wall myofascial, and anterior neck myofascial. Three times a week for six weeks, with three rounds per session, each session having three repetitions, with a 30-second break in between, lasting 15 to 30 seconds each time.
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise training	The exercise training includes aerobic exercise training by treadmill. The initial intensity is set at 60% to 85% of the average speed measured during the patient's six-minute walk test (6MWT). Intensity adjustments will be made using the Modified Borg Scale (scores ranging from 4 to 7). Training duration is 30 minutes, three times a week for six weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-03-02
• Primary completion: 2024-02-02
• Completion: 2024-02-02
• First posted: 2024-04-29
• Last updated: 2024-04-29

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan