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NCT Number: NCT07012733

Thoracic Mobilization for Restrictive Lung Disease

This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of thoracic mobilization techniques on cough capacity, dyspnea, and pulmonary function in patients with restrictive lung disease. The intervention will be applied in a single session, and outcomes will be measured before and after the intervention to evaluate short-term physiological changes.

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Key information

Conditions

Restrictive Lung Disease Dyspnea Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Respiration Disorders Respiratory Tract Diseases Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory

Age range

19 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

Restrictive lung disease (RLD) is characterized by reduced lung compliance and limited thoracic mobility, leading to decreased lung volume and impaired respiratory function. Manual therapy interventions such as thoracic mobilization have been proposed to improve chest wall flexibility and enhance respiratory efficiency. However, few studies have examined the immediate clinical effects of such interventions in RLD patients.

This single-group pre-post interventional study will evaluate the short-term outcomes of thoracic mobilization techniques on cough capacity (as measured by peak cough flow), dyspnea (via Borg scale), and pulmonary function (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]). The results are expected to provide preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of thoracic mobilization for improving respiratory performance in individuals with RLD.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 19 years or older
  • Currently receiving respiratory therapy at C Hospital in Sejong City
  • Pulmonary function test indicating restrictive pattern: FVC < 80% and FEV1/FVC ≥ 70%
  • FVC above the lower limit of normal (LLN) for age and sex
  • Diagnosed with restrictive lung disease, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, scoliosis, or neuromuscular disorders (e.g., myopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

Exclusion criteria

  • FEV1/FVC ratio < 70%
  • Evidence of airway obstruction on pulmonary function testing

Treatment and study plan

thoracic mobilization

Other

Participants in this group will receive thoracic mobilization techniques in addition to conventional respiratory therapy. Thoracic mobilization will be delivered by a licensed physical therapist using passive manual techniques targeting the thoracic spine and rib cage to improve chest wall mobility and respiratory function.

Conventional Therapy

Other

Participants in this group will receive conventional respiratory therapy, including diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, and chest expansion exercises. The therapy will be administered by a licensed physical therapist following standard pulmonary rehabilitation protocols.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pulmonary function test

    Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after intervention on Day 1

    Pulmonary function will be assessed using a standard spirometry test, including FVC and FEV1. The test will be conducted by a trained technician according to ATS/ERS guidelines to evaluate respiratory function.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Cough peak flow

    Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after intervention on Day 1

    Cough peak flow will be measured using a peak flow meter. Participants will be instructed to perform a maximal voluntary cough following a deep inspiration, and the highest value from three trials will be recorded. The assessment will be conducted by a trained therapist to evaluate cough capacity.

  2. Dyspnea

    Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after intervention on Day 1

    Dyspnea will be assessed using the modified Borg scale, a subjective rating scale ranging from 0 (no breathlessness) to 10 (maximum breathlessness). Participants will rate their perceived level of dyspnea at rest following the intervention. The assessment will be administered by a trained therapist.

Study contacts

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

Jungwoo Shim, PT, PhD Candidate

CONTACT

[email protected]

+82 10-2509-6107

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Thoracic Mobilization and Conventional Respiratory Therapy on Cough Capacity, Dyspnea, and Pulmonary Function in Patients With Restrictive Lung Disease

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 10, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 10, 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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