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The respiratory system is divided into upper and lower tracts and functions through gaseous exchange, ventilation, and perfusion, with normal breathing depending on lung compliance, airway resistance, and muscular strength. Pulmonary function is assessed using spirometry, particularly Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁), which are often reduced in obese children due to excess adipose tissue restricting chest wall expansion and diaphragmatic movement, contributing to dyspnea. This randomized controlled trial will be conducted over 10 months in Lahore at selected hospitals and schools, involving 38 obese children (BMI ≥30), aged 6-12 years with mild to moderate dyspnea (RPE 8-14), who will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving blowing balloon therapy or a control group performing splint running (n=19 each). Participants will be screened using the Borg RPE Scale, and data will be analyzed using SPSS version 20.
The respiratory system is anatomically divided into the upper and lower respiratory tracts and performs essential functions including gaseous exchange, ventilation, and perfusion. Effective breathing depends on optimal lung compliance, minimal airway resistance, and adequate respiratory muscle strength. Pulmonary function is commonly evaluated using spirometry, which measures key parameters such as Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁). In obese children, these values are often reduced due to the accumulation of excessive adipose tissue around the thoracic cage and abdomen, leading to impaired respiratory mechanics, restricted chest wall expansion, limited diaphragmatic movement, and increased work of breathing, which contributes to dyspnea. This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial over a period of 10 months following approval of the research synopsis. Data will be collected from multiple healthcare and educational institutions in Lahore, including Fatima Memorial Hospital, Gulab Devi Hospital, Evercare Hospital, Lahore Grammar School (LGS), The Trust School, and Beaconhouse School System. A total of 38 obese children with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater, aged between 6 and 12 years, and experiencing mild to moderate dyspnea (Rated 8-14 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale) will be recruited. BMI will be calculated using the standard formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²). Eligible participants will be screened using the Borg RPE Scale questionnaire and then randomly allocated into two groups: an experimental group (n=19) and a control group (n=19). The experimental group will receive blowing balloon therapy as an intervention aimed at improving respiratory function, while the control group will perform splint running as a comparative physical activity. Pre- and post-intervention spirometry measurements will be taken to assess changes in FVC and FEV₁. The collected data will be statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20 to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blowing Balloon Therapy Group | Experimental | This arm will include 19 obese children (BMI ≥30), aged 6-12 years, experiencing mild to moderate dyspnea (RPE 8-14). Participants in this group will receive blowing balloon therapy, a structured respiratory intervention aimed at improving lung function by strengthening respiratory muscles, |
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| Running Group | Active Comparator | This arm will also consist of 19 obese children with similar inclusion criteria. Participants will perform splint running, which serves as the control activity involving general physical exercise without specific respiratory training. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blowing Balloon Therapy Group | Other | Blowing balloon therapy involves the child inhaling deeply through the nose and exhaling slowly into a balloon, repeated for several sets under supervision. This technique strengthens respiratory muscles, improves lung expansion, and enhances breathing control. Sessions are performed regularly with rest intervals to avoid fatigue and ensure safety. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary Function | The primary outcome of this study is pulmonary function, specifically measured by Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁) using spirometry. These measurements will be taken at baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the intervention (post-intervention) to assess changes in lung function. Any improvement in FVC and FEV₁ values will reflect enhanced respiratory capacity and indicate the effectiveness of the intervention in obese children with dyspnea. | 4th day |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Obese children having 30 or greater than 30 BMI
Exclusion Criteria:
Recent asthma exacerbation or respiratory infection in the past 4 weeks.
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| imran amjad, phd | Contact | 3324390125 | imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| aruba saeed, phd | Riphah International University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paraplegic Center | Recruiting | Peshawar | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 25000 | Pakistan |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33207980 | Background | Motomura C, Matsuzaki H, Odajima H, Oki T, Yasunari Y, Kawano T, Iwata M, Okabe K, Wakatsuki M, Murakami Y, Taba N, Honjo S, Ohga S. Effect of age on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children and adolescents with asthma. J Asthma. 2022 Feb;59(2):297-305. doi: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1853767. Epub 2020 Dec 7. | |
| 33228934 | Background |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D063766 | Pediatric Obesity |
| D004417 | Dyspnea |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D009765 | Obesity |
| D050177 | Overweight |
| D044343 | Overnutrition |
| D009748 | Nutrition Disorders |
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|
| Hurvitz M, Weinberger M. Functional Respiratory Disorders in Children. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2021 Feb;68(1):223-237. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2020.09.013. |
| 40268060 | Background | Abulimiti A, Robson LS, Pawelczyk JA, Balmain BN, Zia A, Babb TG. Elevated risk of dyspnea in pediatric patients three months after pulmonary embolism. Respir Med. 2025 Jul;243:108113. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2025.108113. Epub 2025 Apr 21. |
| D009750 |
| Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases |
| D001835 | Body Weight |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D012120 | Respiration Disorders |
| D012140 | Respiratory Tract Diseases |
| D012818 | Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory |