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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07331662

Intercostal and Thoracic Cage Stretching on Chest Expansion , Dyspnea ,Oxygen Saturation in Asthma

The rationale of this study is to clarify distinct role of these two stretching techniques in pulmonary rehabilitation. Insight gained from this research could provide evidence based recommendations for implementing these therapeutic approaches, aiming to optimize symptoms in asthma patients. so improved respiratory function and muscular flexibility can empower individuals with asthma to better manage their condition, weakening of muscles, airflow obstruction , reduce the effort required for daily activities and engage more fully in physical and everyday tasks thereby enhancing overall quality of life.

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Key information

Conditions

Asthma Asthma (Diagnosis) Bronchial Diseases Disease Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Immediate Immune System Diseases Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Respiratory Hypersensitivity Respiratory Tract Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sehat Medical Complex Hanjerwal

Lahore, Pakistan

About this study

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by the inflammation and constriction of the airways, resulting in recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. This condition often results in the weakening and atrophy of muscles, particularly the key areas impacted include the respiratory muscles like intercostal muscles, muscles in the chest, shoulders, thoracic become weaker due to decreased physical activity. Stretching exercises can offer several benefits for individuals with asthma by improving overall lung function, enhancing muscle strength, and promoting relaxation. The objective of this study will be to evaluate the effects of intercostal and thoracic cage stretching on chest expansion, dyspnea, and oxygen saturation in asthma patients.

This study will be conducted as a randomized clinical trial with enrollment of 56 participants, that will divided equally into two groups. Group A will receive intercostal muscle stretching like lateral side bending stretch, torso rotational stretch, (4x\\week) or Group B will undergo thoracic cage stretching like overhead arm chest stretch, chest opener stretch,(4x\\week) .Study will be conducted for four weeks at sheikh zaid hospital Lahore, involving asthma patients both male and female. Key outcome measures will include chest expansion assessed using tape measure, dyspnea via Borg category scale, oxygen saturation via pulse oximeter. The non-probability convenient sampling technique, followed by random allocation using a lottery method ensure diverse yet unbiased sample. Pre, Post values will be noted. Data will be entered and analyzed by SPSS version 25 after checking normality of the data. Parametric and non-parametric test will be applied. Statistical significance will be set at P=0.05.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Both males and females ,Diagnosed asthma patients ,All patients must have variable respiratory symptoms (cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and/or chest tightness),All patients have to be clinically stable (ie, no exacerbations or changes in medication for the last 4 weeks before enrollment, sedentary life (doing <60 min of physical activity per week)

Exclusion criteria

Other respiratory disease , Any orthopedic limitations ,Pediatric population ,Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension ,Cardiovascular condition, pregnancy ,Smokers/ex-smokers

Treatment and study plan

thoracic cage stretching

Other

thoracic cage stretching involve Sessions 4 times per week ,Intensity Stretch to the point of mild discomfort, but not pain. The goal is to feel a gentle stretch in the muscles being targeted, promoting flexibility without risking injury. Duration of Sessions: Each session should last about 30-40 minutes. Exercise Duration: Each exercise should involve 10repetitions ,Hold stretch for 10-30 sec. sets: 1-2, Rest for 1- 2 minutes between these two exercises. Types :chest opener stretch and overhead arm chest stretch

intercostal stretching

Other

intercostal stretching involve Sessions 4 times per week ,Intensity Stretch to the point of mild discomfort, but not pain. The goal is to feel a gentle stretch in the muscles being targeted, promoting flexibility without risking injury. Duration of Sessions: Each session should last about 30-40 minutes. Exercise Duration: Each exercise should involve 10repetitions ,Hold stretch for 10-30 sec. sets: 1-2, Rest for 1- 2 minutes between these two exercises. Types :lateral side bend stretch and torso rotational stretch

Primary outcomes

  1. chest expansion

    Time frame: 4 week

    To measure chest expansion, we used a plastic tape measure. Stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides, ideally wearing minimal clothing. First, measure your chest at rest by wrapping the tape around the widest part, under the armpits, across the nipples and at the level of xiphoid process, ensuring it's snug but not tight. Take this measurement after a normal exhalation. Next, for maximum expansion, take a deep breath and fully expand your chest, then measure again in the same spot at full inhalation. To find your chest expansion, subtract the resting measurement from the expanded measurement. It's best to repeat the process for accuracy,

Secondary outcomes

  1. dyspnea

    Time frame: for 4 weeks

    The Borg Category Scale for dyspnea is a valuable tool for assessing breathlessness in asthma patients, ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no breathlessness and 10 represents maximal breathlessness. This scale enables patients to communicate their level of discomfort during various activities. During the study, participants were asked to rate their dyspnea before and after performing the exercises, providing a clear indication of any changes in their respiratory comfort. So we gained comprehensive insights into the effectiveness of the interventions in asthma patients.

Other outcomes

  1. oxygen saturation

    Time frame: 4 week

    A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the oxygen saturation level in the blood (SpO₂) and the pulse rate. It works by emitting light through a person's fingertip or earlobe, analyzing how much light is absorbed by oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, and then estimating the blood's oxygen percentage.In this study for oxygen saturation we measured readings pre and post intervention with pulse oximeter to check effects of techniques applied on asthma patients.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Intercostal and Thoracic Cage Stretching on Chest Expansion, Dyspnea, Oxygen Saturation in Asthma Patients

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 12, 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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