Active Cycle Of Breathing Technique And Pursed Lip Breathing in Moderate to Severe COPD Patients | NCT07742033

NCT07742033

Overview

NCT ID: NCT07742033
Lead Sponsor: University of LahoreOTHER
Official Title: Active Cycle Of Breathing Technique And Pursed Lip Breathing in Moderate to Severe COPD Patients
Brief Summary: Purpose of the Study Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, long-term lung condition that limits airflow and makes breathing difficult. People with COPD frequently experience shortness of breath, chronic coughing, and mucus buildup, which can severely impact their daily activities and overall quality of life. While medications are commonly used, non drug therapies like specialized breathing exercises are becoming vital tools to help relieve symptoms.

The purpose of this study is to compare two popular breathing techniques the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) and Pursed-Lip Breathing (PLB) to determine which method is more effective at improving lung function, reducing breathlessness, and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals living with moderate to severe COPD.

Study Plan and Methods

This study is a randomized controlled trial lasting approximately 8 to 10 months. A total of 40 eligible participants (both men and women aged 40 to 55) will be recruited and randomly split into two equal groups:

Group A (Active Cycle Breathing): Participants will practice ACBT, which combines relaxed breathing, deep chest-expanding breaths, and a specialized coughing technique ("huffing") to clear trapped mucus from the lungs Group B (Pursed-Lip Breathing): Participants will practice PLB, a technique where they inhale slowly through the nose and exhale gently through puckered lips (like blowing out a candle) to slow down breathing and improve ventilation Both groups will receive their assigned breathing exercise alongside standard medical care and a baseline postural drainage treatment. Exercises will be performed in 15-to-20-minute sessions, twice a day, for a total of 8 weeks.

Expected Outcomes Researchers will evaluate participants before and after the 8-week program using standard lung function tests (spirometry), breathlessness questionnaires, and quality-of-life assessments. The study expects both techniques to offer relief, but aims to identify if one method provides superior evidence-based benefits. The ultimate goal is to help physical therapists and doctors design more effective, personalized pulmonary rehabilitation programs for COPD patients.

Status and Timeline

Status: Completed
Last Update Posted: Aug 3, 2026Actual
Start Date: Jan 11, 2025Actual
Primary Completion Date: Feb 20, 2026Actual
Completion Date

Participation Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study: Adult (18-64)
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No
Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Both genders.

Subjects with the 40-55 age years.

Diagnosed with COPD

Subjects who are on regular treatment

Subjects who are conscious and cooperative

Subjects who can understand and follow instruction

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with recent abdominal, and thoracic surgery.

Patients with any Disability; Physical or Mental.

Patients with unstable angina, advanced congestive heart failure, or severe pulmonary hypertension, because altered intrathoracic pressures during forced expirations strain the heart.

Patients with advanced kyphoscoliosis or severe pectus excavatum, as baseline structural restrictions prevent optimal diaphragmatic excursion and chest wall expansion.

Patients presenting with severe resting hypoxemia or highly volatile blood oxygen values at baseline that require continuous emergency clinical monitoring.

Patients who have experienced a sudden worsening or an acute clinical crash within the past 4 weeks, as the forced expiratory components (such as huffing) involved in active airway clearance can severely exacerbate active bronchospasms.

Study Plan

Study Type: Interventional
Phase: Not Applicable
Enrollment: 40Actual
Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single

Contacts and Locations

Central Contacts: No data available
Locations: Dr.Sidra Faisal

Similar Studies

Participant Group/Arms

Group A: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT)Experimental

For Arm 1 (Group A), enter this text into the description field: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) group. Participants in this arm will perform the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique, which combines three phases: breathing control (relaxed breathing), thoracic expansion (deep breaths), and the forced expiratory technique ("huffing") to mobilize and clear mucus from the lungs. The intervention will be administered in 2 sessions per day for a total duration of 8 weeks. Each session will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Participants will also receive standard COPD medical care and medication, alongside standard baseline postural drainage.

Other: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT)

Group B: Pursed Lip Breathing Technique (PLB)Experimental

Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) group. Participants in this arm will perform Pursed Lip Breathing, a technique where they slowly inhale through the nose for 2 counts and gently exhale through puckered lips for 4 or more counts to slow breathing and improve ventilation. The intervention will be administered in 2 sessions per day for a total duration of 8 weeks. Each session will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Participants will also receive standard COPD medical care and medication, alongside standard baseline postural drainage.

Other: Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB)