CompletedNot Applicable

Active Cycle Of Breathing Technique And Pursed Lip Breathing in Moderate to Severe COPD Patients

Pakistan40 participantsStarted 2025-01-11

Plain-language summary

Purpose of the Study Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, long-term lung condition that limits airflow and makes breathing difficult. People with COPD frequently experience shortness of breath, chronic coughing, and mucus buildup, which can severely impact their daily activities and overall quality of life. While medications are commonly used, non drug therapies like specialized breathing exercises are becoming vital tools to help relieve symptoms. The purpose of this study is to compare two popular breathing techniques the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) and Pursed-Lip Breathing (PLB) to determine which method is more effective at improving lung function, reducing breathlessness, and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals living with moderate to severe COPD. Study Plan and Methods This study is a randomized controlled trial lasting approximately 8 to 10 months. A total of 40 eligible participants (both men and women aged 40 to 55) will be recruited and randomly split into two equal groups: Group A (Active Cycle Breathing): Participants will practice ACBT, which combines relaxed breathing, deep chest-expanding breaths, and a specialized coughing technique ("huffing") to clear trapped mucus from the lungs Group B (Pursed-Lip Breathing): Participants will practice PLB, a technique where they inhale slowly through the nose and exhale gently through puckered lips (like blowing out a candle) to slow down breathing and improve ventilation Both groups will receive their assigned breathing exercise alongside standard medical care and a baseline postural drainage treatment. Exercises will be performed in 15-to-20-minute sessions, twice a day, for a total of 8 weeks. Expected Outcomes Researchers will evaluate participants before and after the 8-week program using standard lung function tests (spirometry), breathlessness questionnaires, and quality-of-life assessments. The study expects both techniques to offer relief, but aims to identify if one method provides superior evidence-based benefits. The ultimate goal is to help physical therapists and doctors design more effective, personalized pulmonary rehabilitation programs for COPD patients.

Who can participate

Age range

40 Years – 55 Years

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: * Both genders. * Subjects with the 40-55 age years. * Diagnosed with COPD * Subjects who are on regular treatment * Subjects who are conscious and cooperative * Subjects who can understand and follow instruction Exclusion Criteria: * • Patients with recent abdominal, and thoracic surgery. * Patients with any Disability; Physical or Mental. * Patients with unstable angina, advanced congestive heart failure, or severe pulmonary hypertension, because altered intrathoracic pressures during forced expirations strain the heart. * Patients with advanced kyphoscoliosis or severe pectus excavatum, as baseline structural restrictions prevent optimal diaphragmatic excursion and chest wall expansion. * Patients presenting with severe resting hypoxemia or highly volatile blood oxygen values at baseline that require continuous emergency clinical monitoring. * Patients who have experienced a sudden worsening or an acute clinical crash within the past 4 weeks, as the forced expiratory components (such as huffing) involved in active airway clearance can severely exacerbate active bronchospasms.

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

orced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)

Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention at 8 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07742033

SponsorUniversity of Lahore

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-20

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) trials