Respiratory Physiotherapy and Hospitalization in Infants With Bronchiolitis (NCT07682844) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Respiratory Physiotherapy and Hospitalization in Infants With Bronchiolitis
Brazil1,000 participantsStarted 2026-07
Plain-language summary
Acute Viral Bronchiolitis (AVB) is one of the leading causes of respiratory illness and hospitalization among infants during the first year of life, generating a substantial burden on healthcare services and public health expenditures. Despite the widespread use of respiratory physiotherapy in clinical practice, there is limited evidence regarding its effectiveness in preventing hospital admissions when provided in an outpatient setting.
This quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate the impact of an outpatient respiratory physiotherapy protocol on hospitalization rates among infants up to 12 months of age diagnosed with mild to moderate acute viral bronchiolitis in the public healthcare system of Sorocaba, Brazil. Infants referred for respiratory physiotherapy will be compared with a similar group of infants who receive standard medical care without physiotherapy referral.
The physiotherapy protocol includes slow expiratory techniques, rhinopharyngeal retrograde clearance, cough stimulation, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) when clinically indicated. Participants will be followed through medical records and telephone monitoring.
The primary outcome is hospital admission due to bronchiolitis. Secondary outcomes include length of hospital stay, healthcare costs, and clinical evolution. The findings may provide evidence on whether outpatient respiratory physiotherapy can reduce hospitalizations and optimize healthcare resource utilization in infants with acute viral bronchiolitis.
Who can participate
Age range
12 Months
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Infants aged 12 months or younger.
* Clinical diagnosis of acute viral bronchiolitis.
* Mild or moderate bronchiolitis according to clinical assessment and Wang Bronchiolitis Severity Score.
* Initial evaluation performed at a participating emergency care unit (UPA).
* Parent or legal guardian able and willing to provide informed consent for participants receiving direct physiotherapy care.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Severe bronchiolitis requiring immediate hospitalization or emergency medical intervention.
* Infants who did not follow the predefined clinical care pathway (e.g., no initial evaluation at a participating emergency care unit).
* Absence of a clinical diagnosis of acute viral bronchiolitis by the attending pediatrician.
* Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the clinical team, would make participation inappropriate or interfere with study procedures.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Hospitalization Prevention
Timeframe: during the hospitalization period (up to 15 days)