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NCT Number: NCT07665593

Effect of AI-Assisted Respiratory Training on Pain, Fatigue and Respiratory Parameters in Patients After Open Heart Surgery

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted respiratory training on fatigue, pain, and respiratory parameters in patients after open heart surgery.

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Key information

Conditions

Nursing Care Breathing Exercises Fatigue Fatigue Recovery Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kocaeli University

Kocaeli, İzmit, 41380, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Yaren Yurdakul, BSC

CONTACT

[email protected]

+090 553 495 85 21

Yasemin Özhanlı, PHD

CONTACT

About this study

Open heart surgery and related procedures (such as sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and chest tubes) can negatively affect pulmonary functions and cause postoperative pain, fatigue, and limited respiratory muscle function. While standard care involves respiratory exercises, there is insufficient data regarding the combination of upper extremity Range of Motion (ROM) exercises with deep breathing. This study will utilize AI-generated educational videos, created using tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Adobe Firefly, to guide patients in performing these exercises safely and correctly. Participants will be randomized into three groups: a Rhythmic Breathing group, a Range of Motion-Deep Breathing (ROM-DB) group, and a Control group. The interventions will be applied for three consecutive days. The study will evaluate outcomes including respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, pain levels, fatigue, dyspnea, and chest tube drainage volume.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients undergoing elective open heart surgery.
  • Conscious.
  • Speaks and understands Turkish.
  • Has a chest tube inserted (on the right and/or left side).
  • No visual, auditory, or mental problems.
  • Willing to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Undergoing concurrent other chest surgery or having a history of re-surgery.
  • Development of early postoperative complications (e.g., atelectasis) within 0-3 days.
  • Any loss of an extremity.
  • Long-term immobilization and intubation.
  • Development of severe post-surgery infections (such as mediastinitis or sepsis) or respiratory complications (such as pneumonia or atelectasis).

Treatment and study plan

Rhythmic Breathing Group

Other

Patients in this group will watch an artificial intelligence-generated educational video on a tablet. Following the visual and auditory instructions in the video, they will perform a rhythmic breathing exercise consisting of inhaling for 3 seconds, holding the breath for 3 seconds, and exhaling for 3 seconds. The exercise will be performed for 5 repetitions, once a day, for 3 consecutive days under the supervision of the researcher.

Range of Motion-Deep Breathing (ROM-DN) Group

Other

Patients in this group will watch an artificial intelligence-generated educational video on a tablet. They will perform upper extremity range of motion (abduction and adduction) exercises synchronized with deep inspiration and expiration. This exercise will be performed for 5 repetitions, once a day, for 3 consecutive days under the supervision of the researcher.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Respiratory Rate

    Time frame: Evaluated at baseline (before intervention), and Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (measured both before and 5 minutes after the exercise session).

    Measured continuously as breaths per minute while the patient is at rest.

  2. Change in Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)

    Time frame: Evaluated at baseline, and Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (measured both before and 5 minutes after the exercise session).

    Measured as a percentage (%) using a noninvasive pulse oximeter

  3. Change in Heart Rate

    Time frame: Evaluated at baseline, and Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (measured both before and 5 minutes after the exercise session).

    Measured as beats per minute at rest using a noninvasive patient monitor.

  4. Pain Level

    Time frame: Evaluated at baseline, and Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (measured both before and 5 minutes after the exercise session).

    Evaluated using the self-reported Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where "0" indicates no pain and "10" indicates unbearable pain. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

  5. Fatigue Level

    Time frame: Evaluated at baseline, and Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (measured both before and 5 minutes after the exercise session).

    Evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where "0" indicates no fatigue and "10" indicates unbearable fatigue. Higher scores represent increased fatigue.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Dyspnea Level

    Time frame: Evaluated at baseline, and Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (measured both before and 5 minutes after the exercise session).

    Evaluated using the Modified Borg Scale (CR-10), a category-ratio scale ranging from 0 (nothing at all) to 10. Higher scores indicate higher perceived exertion/dyspnea.

  2. Chest Tube Drainage Level

    Time frame: Evaluated at baseline, and Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (measured both before and 5 minutes after the exercise session).

    The fluid level change in the chest tube drainage system, measured in centimeters (cm).

  3. Presence of Chest Tube Tidaling

    Time frame: Evaluated at baseline, and Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (measured both before and 5 minutes after the exercise session)

    Observational evaluation of fluid movement (tidaling) in the drainage system, recorded categorically as "movement present" or "no movement".

Study contacts

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

Yaren Yurdakul, BSC

CONTACT

[email protected]

+090 553 495 85 21

Yasemin Özhanlı, PHD

CONTACT

[email protected]

(0262) 303 47 01

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kocaeli University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Respiratory Training on Pain, Fatigue and Respiratory Parameters in Patients After Open Heart Surgery

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 24, 2026

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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