Thoracic Mobilization for Restrictive Lung Disease

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

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.

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.

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