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NCT Number: NCT06893445

The Effect of Deep Tissue Massage on Respiratory Parameters in People With Asthma

Bronchial asthma, as a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. Standard treatment includes pharmacotherapy, but a holistic approach, including manual therapies, can support pharmacological therapy, reducing the need for drugs.

The aim of the research is to verify whether deep tissue massage (DTM) techniques applied to the chest significantly affect respiratory parameters in people with asthma. The study is the next stage of the study conducted on healthy people. After obtaining positive results in the study involving people not suffering from respiratory diseases, the next step is to examine people with, in this case, bronchial asthma. It is important to determine whether the use of this form of manual therapy can bring benefits in the context of improving respiratory functions, reducing respiratory muscle tension and relieving subjective symptoms associated with asthma, such as shortness of breath or limitations in everyday functioning.

The hypothesis assumes that DTM techniques can have a bigger effect on the respiratory system than classic massage (CM).

The study is a randomized controlled trial, where participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the study group (subjected to DTM) or the control group (subjected to CM). Before and after the massage intervention, participants will undergo spirometry to assess the changes in respiratory parameters. The obtained data will then be analyzed for effects on respiratory parameters and differences between both groups.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • diagnosed with bronchial asthma
  • stable health condition, allowing participation in the study
  • informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • acute or chronic comorbidities that may affect the results (e.g. COPD, heart failure, cancer)
  • any chest surgery performed within the last 6 months
  • contraindications to massage (e.g. skin infections, wounds)
  • pregnancy
  • participation in other clinical trials in the last 3 months

Treatment and study plan

Deep tissue massage

Procedure

Administered as a soft tissue mobilization performed by the therapist with fingertips, knuckles, elbows and/or fists on the tissues that manifest symptoms of fascial restrictions. The techniques were performed with individually adjusted force until the change (eg. increased mobility) in the tissue being treated was stated by the therapist.

Classic massage

Procedure

The subject was lying supine on the table, with a roller placed under the knee joints, the upper limbs along the body. The following sequence of techniques was used in the longitudinal and transverse strands and in the intercostal spaces (excluding the breast in women): effleurage, friction, petrissage, pressures, tapotement and vibrations.

Primary outcomes

  1. Assessment of change of lung vital capacity

    Time frame: twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups

    The vital capacity of the lungs will be assessed with spirometer. The subject stood with legs hip-width apart. For each measurement, disposable cardboard mouthpieces will be used. The examined person holds the device vertically with both hands. At the examiner's command, subject will take in as much air as possible, then tightly biet the mouthpiece with his mouth, and with all of their strength, exhale air into the device for as long as possible. The subject will have only 1 attempt-measured values were recorded with an accuracy of 50 mL.

  2. Assessment of change of chest circumference

    Time frame: twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups

    The chest circumference will be measured with a measuring tape, wrapped horizontally around the chest at the level of the xiphoid process. The subject stand with feet hip-width apart, arms hanging along the body. At the command, the subject will take a maximum breathe in (first measurement) and exhale to the maximum for the next (second measurement). Obtained values will be recorded with an accuracy of 0.5 cm.

  3. Assessment of change of blood oxygen saturation

    Time frame: twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups

    Testing blood oxygen saturation will be performed in a sitting position with digital pulseoximeter. The device will be put on the second finger of the left hand each time. The highest value displayed by the pulseoximeter within 30 s will be recorded with an accuracy of 1%.

  4. Asessment of change of Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)

    Time frame: twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups

    Dynamic spirometry test will be performed with spirometer to assess the peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured in liters per second [l/s]. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carry out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ". This cycle will be performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements and the mean value will be calculated.

  5. Assessment of change of Forced Vital Capacity

    Time frame: twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups

    The forced vital capacity (FVC), measured in liters will be assessed with spirometer. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carry out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ".

  6. Assessment of change of Maximum Expiratory Flow

    Time frame: twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups

    Assessment of the maximum expiratory flow (MEF), measured in liters per second will be performed with spirometer. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carry out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ". This cycle will be performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements and the mean value will be calculated.

  7. Assessment of change of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second

    Time frame: twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups

    Assessment of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) measured in literswill be performed with spirometer. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carry out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ". This cycle will be performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements and the mean value will be calculated.

  8. Assessment of change of Maximum Voluntary Ventilation

    Time frame: twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups

    Assessing the maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) measured in liters per minute will be performed with spirometer. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carried out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, inhale and exhale as quickly and as deeply as possible for 15 s until you hear the 'stop' command. This cycle will be performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements and the mean value will be calculated.

Study contacts

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

Bartosz T Trybulec, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

12 422 56 83 ext. +48

Sarah Duk, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Jagiellonian University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 25, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 25, 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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