NCT07447804

Diaphragm Morphology and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Subacute Hemiplegic Patients

The Relationship Between Diaphragm Morphology and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Subacute Hemiplegic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 38 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Fenerbahce University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between diaphragm morphology (diaphragm excursion, end-inspiratory and end-expiratory diaphragm thickness, and thickening fraction) and respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory pressure - MIP and maximum expiratory pressure - MEP) in patients with subacute hemiplegia.

Detailed description

Stroke is a neurological condition that causes multidimensional impairments in motor, sensory, and pulmonary functions and is associated with a high long-term disability burden. After stroke, weakness particularly develops in the diaphragm and intercostal muscles; this results in reduced chest wall movements, ventilatory restriction, and decreased lung volumes. The diaphragm, the primary inspiratory muscle, being positioned higher on the paretic side and exhibiting reduced movement leads to decreased respiratory capacity and impaired cough effectiveness. Diaphragm ultrasonography is a method that allows noninvasive, reliable, and reproducible evaluation of diaphragm thickness, excursion, and functional changes. The relationship between ultrasound parameters and respiratory muscle strength is of clinical importance in determining the degree of respiratory muscle weakness and setting rehabilitation goals. Although it is known that post-stroke MIP and MEP values are significantly reduced compared to healthy individuals, the relationship between diaphragm morphology and respiratory muscle strength has been investigated to a limited extent, particularly in the subacute period. Demonstrating this relationship will make an important contribution to planning individualized respiratory rehabilitation in the early period.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Hemiplegia Following Ischemic Stroke
• Diaphragm Ultrasonography

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-26
• Primary completion: 2026-07-26
• Completion: 2026-09-26
• First posted: 2026-03-04
• Last updated: 2026-03-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)