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NCT Number: NCT07177976

Comparative Effects of Pilates Breathing and Pursed Lip Breathing on Chest Expension and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a particular type of irreversible disease that may damage or obstruct airways and make it difficult to breath. This respiratiry condition may lead to shallow breathing.

Breathing exercisers help to manage hyperventilation often seen in COPD patients. To handle respiratory complications patients are advised to practice breathing techniques along with pharmacological management

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Key information

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (COPD) Chronic Disease Disease Attributes Dyspnea Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive Respiration Disorders Respiratory Tract Diseases Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory

Age range

40 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Foundation University College of Physical Therapy, Islamabad, 44000

Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

Chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease is a particular type of irreversible disease that may damage or obstruct airways and make it difficult to breath. This respiratory condition may lead to shallow breathing.

Breathing exercises help to manage hyperventilation often seen in copd patients. To handle respiratory complications patients are advised to practice brathing techniques along with pharmacological management.

Total 46 participants are allocated divided into two group. Group A will perform Pilates breathing along with pharmacological management and group B will perform Pursed-lip breathing along with pharmacological management.

Hence objective of study is to compare the effects of pilates breathing techniques along with pharmacological management versus pursed-lip breathing along with pharmacological management on chest expansion, peak expiratory flow rate, dyspnea and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 40-64 years
  • Both genders (male and female)
  • Grade 1-3 on mMRC scale of dyspnea
  • COPD mild stage according to global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) classification; Mild = FEV1 greater than or equal to 80% predicted

Exclusion criteria

  • Moderate, severe and very severe stage of COPD according to GOLD classification
  • Patients having acute exerbation of COPD
  • Patients diagnosed with acute infection
  • Patients unable to follow command and instructions

Treatment and study plan

Pilates Breathing Technique along with standard pharmacological management

Procedure

Patients in this group will receive pilates breathing technique along with pharmacological management.

A total 3 weeks protocol will be followed in which 2 seesions per week will be supervised by physiotherapist and 5 days at home.

Pilates breathing will be performed in sitting or supine position. The patient will place a hand over the Lower Posterior rib Cage and inhale through the nose.

While breathing they will actively contract the Transverse Abdominis (TrA) as if preparing for punch or holding in urine and engaging the pelvic floor muscles.

Pursed-lip breathing along with pharmacological management

Procedure

Patient in this group will receive pursed-lip breathing along with pharmacological management. A total 3 weeks protocol will be followed in which 2 sessions per week will be supervised by physiotherapist and 5 days at home.

The patient will sit comfortably with straight back and relaxed shoulders. They will inhale slowly through the nose, with a deep relaxed breath, and then exhale slowly through the pursed lips, as if blowing out a candle. The exhalation should take 2-3 times longer than inhalation. This breathing cycle will be repeated with a focus on slow and relaxed breathing.

Pharmacological management: Patient will receive medications as per prescribed by pulmonologist

Primary outcomes

  1. Chest Expansion

    Time frame: 03 weeks

    Evaluation will be done using inch tape (inches) for Chest Expansion

  2. Peak expiratory flow rate

    Time frame: 03 weeks

    Evaluation will be done by using Peak flow meter

  3. Dyspnea

    Time frame: 03 weeks

    Evaluation will be done by using Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC)

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Sana Kalim, DPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

03369169645

Zara Khalid, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

03335415822

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Foundation University Islamabad

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 17, 2025
Registry last updated
Oct 7, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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