NCT06840626

Pilot Study on Breathing Exercises and Pulmonary Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Trial

Pilot Study on the Effects of Conductive Breathing Exercises on Pulmonary Function in School-Aged Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 55 (actual)
• Sponsor: Semmelweis University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 12 Years – 22 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This pilot study is a randomized controlled trial aimed at investigating the efficacy of protocolized conductive breathing exercises combined with regular air ventilation, in addition to standard care, on various aspects of health in school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP). The primary objectives of the study include assessing the effects on pulmonary functions, quality of life (QoL), depression anxiety and stress (DAS) levels, eating-drinking ability (EDACS), and severity of drooling in this population. The study compares two groups of participants: one group undergoes protocolized conductive breathing exercises three times per day for five minutes, five days a week, while the other group receives only standard rehabilitation care. Evaluations include spirometry parameters ( forced vital capacity \[FVC\] forced expiratory volume in the first second \[FEV1\], FEV1/FVC ratio and peak expiratory flow \[PEF\]. Assessments are conducted at the beginning and end of the eight weeks intervention period, with additional evaluations after a 2.5-month washout period. The conductive breathing exercises, developed by Dr. András Pető, the founder of the conductive education system, consist of techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, deep breathing, and playful forced expiration. Respiratory well-being is crucial, particularly in pediatric CP patients, as compromised pulmonary functions can significantly impact overall health. Despite this, there is currently a lack of established protocols and research regarding the efficacy of conductive breathing exercises in this specific population. Therefore, the this study seeks to address this gap by determining whether a structured regimen of conductive breathing exercises, when added to standard care, can lead to measurable improvements in respiratory health and QoL among school-aged children with CP.

Conditions

• Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Series of breathing exercises	During the intervention, participants perform respiratory exercises, including deep breathing, belly breathing, exhalation with vocalization, and forced exhalation. Each exercise is repeated five times, three times per day: twice in the morning and once in the afternoon. The exercises are conducted in a seated, corrected position, guided by rehabilitation specialists or special needs teachers who provide instructions and demonstrations. Teachers are provided with the exact protocol for the breathing exercises series. Each breathing exercise focuses on maintaining a specific rhythm, with inhalation lasting approximately 3-4 seconds, holding for 1-2 seconds, and exhalation for 5-6 seconds. Forced exhalation is facilitated using playful motivational tools such as windmills and balloon blowing. The protocol includes instructions for the breathing exercises in first-person singular. The entire session lasts approximately 5 minutes, resulting in a total of 15 minutes of training per day.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-04-15
• Primary completion: 2025-02-28
• Completion: 2025-03-30
• First posted: 2025-02-21
• Last updated: 2025-02-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hungary