COPDNCT06944626
The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Dyspnoea Perception, Pulmonary Function and Functional Level During COPD Exacerbation
A study testing tDCS and Conventional physiotherapy in people with COPD and Dyspnea, run by Okan University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a treatable disease characterized by irreversible and progressive airflow limitation, which is a cause of high morbidity and mortality. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- What is being tested?
- tDCS and Conventional physiotherapy
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 8 Apr 2025to 10 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosed with COPD and followed up for at least 6 months
- Hospitalised due to an exacerbation
- Have not taken any medication affecting the nervous system in the last 6 months
- Co-operative
- Have the ability to participate in working procedures
- Over 18 years of age,
- The specialist physician finds it suitable for physiotherapy applications,
- Volunteers who want to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Having comorbidities other than COPD, such as bronchiectasis, lung cancer or asthma
- Surgery in the last 6 months (volume reduction surgery, etc.)
- Neuromuscular disease
- Pulmonary embolism or pulmonary oedema
- Presence of cranial, cardiac, spinal cord, intra-aural metal implants
- Epilepsy
- Patients on invasive mechanical ventilation
- Patient with cardiac pace maker
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
İstinye Üniversitesi
Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, 08100
About this study
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a treatable disease characterized by irreversible and progressive airflow limitation, which is a cause of high morbidity and mortality. Dyspnea is an important component of COPD exacerbations that changes functional level and prognosis and limits the patient's quality of life and activities of daily living. Since COPD patients complain a lot of dyspnea associated with reduced exercise capacity and worsening lung function, there is a great need to develop effective physiologically based rehabilitation techniques to restore the dysfunctional respiratory motor system. Evidence supporting the importance of task-specific training based on neural plasticity also applies to pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD. Alterations in neuroplasticity and cortical excitability, tDCS is a promising technique for modulating brain activity. As a painless, easy-to-use and noninvasive technique, tDCS has shown efficacy in relieving pain, which shares the same neural substrates as dyspnea. Similarities have been established between the pathophysiology of dyspnea and pain. Close or even overlapping activation zones of brain structures involved in the integration of pain and dyspnea have been emphasized. Therefore, it is hypothesized that tDCS stimulation of areas where one or more of these cerebral structures are activated in pain may also have an effect on dyspnea. In light of this information, researchers believe that relieving dyspnea with tDCS will have an impact on the prognosis of patients during COPD exacerbations. In this context, researchers will evaluate the effects of tDCS on dyspnea perception, lung function, and functional level in patients with COPD exacerbation. When the literature was reviewed, no study on the use of tDCS in COPD patients was found. The use of tDCS as a non-invasive and easy-to-use effective treatment method with neuro-modulation to combat dyspnea and functional level in COPD patients constitutes the originality of the study.
Forty patients who were hospitalized in the Chest Diseases Service due to COPD exacerbation and met the inclusion criteria will be included in the study. The evaluation parameters included symptom assessment, breathlessness perception questionnaire, COPD assessment test, peripheral muscle strength assessment, grip strength assessment, pulmonary function test, Montreal cognitive assessment test, London chest activities of daily living scale, timed up and go test, hospital anxiety and depression scale, respiratory muscle strength, fNIRS and capnography. Assessments will take place before and after treatment. Sham (n:20) group will receive conventional physiotherapy and sham tDCS, while the Study (n:20) group will receive tDCS and conventional physiotherapy. For anodal tDCS, the anode electrode will be placed over the left primary motor cortex and the cathode will be placed over the right supraorbital region. For the study group, tDCS application will be applied with a current of 2 mA for 30 minutes on 3 consecutive days. In the sham group, tDCS application will be increased to 2 mA for the first 30 seconds and then decreased to 0 mA within 30 seconds after receiving current for 15 seconds. The electrodes will remain on the patient's head for the rest of the time (30 minutes in total).
In conclusion, the effects of tDCS on dyspnea perception, pulmonary function and functional level in COPD exacerbation period patients will be investigated. At the same time, the advantages of tDCS administration in COPD patients will be evaluated by examining its effects on cerebrovascular responses, tissue oxygenation, muscle strength, cognitive level, activity of daily living, anxiety and depression. It will provide different perspectives to clinicians and researchers who will create evaluation, treatment and study plans for COPD exacerbation period patients with limited treatment options and will be a guide for new research.
- Being tested
- tDCS, Sham tDCS, Conventional physiotherapy
- Keywords
- COPD, tDCS, fNIRS, Dyspnea, Pulmonary function
- Medical subject headings
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Dyspnea
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
tDCSDevice
tDCS will be applied to the dorsalateral prefrontal cortex with a current of 2 mA for 30 minutes on 3 consecutive days.
Sham tDCSDevice
The tDCS application will be increased to 2 mA for the first 30 seconds and will be reduced to 0 mA within 30 seconds after receiving current for 15 seconds. The electrodes will remain on the patient's head for the rest of the time (30 min in total).
Conventional physiotherapyOther
Within the scope of conventional physiotherapy, respiratory control training, diaphragmatic breathing exercise, puckered lip breathing, relaxation exercises will be started 10 minutes after the start of tDCS or sham tDCS application.
While tDCS or sham tDCS application continues, 10 repetitions will be performed in order and with time for rest between exercises.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Study Gruop | Experimental | Conventional physiotherapy + tDCS Receives: Device: tDCS; Other: Conventional physiotherapy |
| Sham group | Sham comparator | Conventional physiotherapy + sham tDCS Receives: Device: Sham tDCS; Other: Conventional physiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Breathlessness Perception Questionnaire (BBQ):
The questionnaire consists of 11 items. Somatic focussing (BBQ-SF, 5 items) and activity avoidance (BBQ-AA, 6 items). Participants select a response for each item on a five-point scale from 'strongly disagree' (1 point) to 'strongly agree' (5 points), giving a total score between 11 and 55. A score of 11 reflects the absence of dyspnoea perception or dyspnoea-related kinesiophobia. High scores on the BBQ-SF reflect a perception that their illness is more harmful. High scores on the BBQ-AA reflect the patient's belief that physical activity that causes dyspnoea should be avoided as it may worsen their illness.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Oxygen saturation
The patient's oxygen saturation is measured by pulse oximetry.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
COPD Assessment Test (CAT)
It is a one-dimensional scale consisting of 8 items that evaluates symptoms in COPD. It analyses the effect of symptoms such as cough, sputum, chest tightness, shortness of breath when climbing stairs, activity limitation at home, confidence when leaving home, sleep and energy on activities of daily living. Each question is numbered from 0 to 5 and the total score ranges from 0-40 points. The total score is classified according to five sections categorised according to the impact of symptoms on activities of daily living. According to this classification, the total score is categorised as follows: >30 points is considered as very high impact level, >20 points is considered as high impact level, 10-20 points is considered as medium impact level, <10 points is considered as low impact level, 5 points is considered as upper limit of normal impact level in healthy never smokers. The cut-off point for CAT in COPD was set as 10 points. Individuals will be asked to tick the most appropriate
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Respiratory Muscle Strength
Respiratory muscle strength will be measured in accordance with the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) criteria using an intraoral pressure measuring device (MicroRPM, Micro Medical; UK). All measurements will be performed in sitting position. The nasal airway will be closed with a nose clip and a suitable mouthpiece will be used. For maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), a maximal expiratory manoeuvre will be performed before the device is taken into the mouthpiece, followed by maximal inspiration (Müller manoeuvre) at maximum rate for 1-3 seconds. For maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), a maximum inspiratory manoeuvre will be performed before the device is taken into the mouth. This will be followed by maximal expiration (Valsalva manoeuvre) at maximum speed for 1-3 seconds. Three measurements will be repeated and the highest value will be recorded as cmH2O (ATS/ERS).
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Functional Level Assessment
To assess the functional level of the patients, a 1 minute sit and stand test will be performed. The test, which is performed on a standard height (46) cm chair, will first be demonstrated by the physiotherapist. With the start command, the patients will be asked to switch from standing position to sitting without delay and repeat the test for 1 minute at the speed they determine and feel safe, in the form of full sitting and full standing. Care will be taken to ensure that the knee joint is in 90 degrees flexion when sitting and in full extension when standing.The number of times the person sits down and stands up during a minute will be recorded.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS):
fNIRS is a technique in which the amount of absorption of NIR light by chromophore molecules (such as oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb, cytochrome-c oxidase (CCO), myoglobin) is measured as it passes through tissues. The changes in oxy- and deoxy-Hb are visualised with the inserted sensors. Two or more colours of light are used to differentially distinguish absorption changes due to oxy-/deoxy-Hb. These changes in blood concentration will be monitored online.Optodes will be placed in the bilateral prefrontal cortex.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Capnography
The capnograph is a monitoring device that provides a graphical continuous record (mmHg) of the CO2 concentration in expired gases during respiration, giving information about the number of breaths per minute and the amount of CO2 removed in each breath. It measures the partial pressure of CO2 in expired air, called ETCO2, a reliable and time-sensitive clinical measure of respiratory function. ETCO2 has good concurrent validity compared with direct blood measurements. This value of 35 mmHg and below is often used as a cut-off point to define hypocapnia.Measurement is performed with the help of a nasal cannula.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Dyspnoea assessment
Dyspnoea will be evaluated with Borg scale. The participant will be asked to tick a number between 0 and 10 on the scale for the severity of dyspnoea. 0 indicates no dyspnoea. 10 indicates very severe dyspnoea.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Heart rate
The patient's heart rate is measured by pulse oximetry.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Respiratory frequency
Respiratory frequency will be measured with a capnograph device.The capnograph is a monitoring device that provides a graphical continuous record (mmHg) of the CO2 concentration in expired gases during respiration, giving information about the number of breaths per minute and the amount of CO2 removed in each breath.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Modifiye Medical Research Council(MMRC)
It is an objective scale that evaluates dyspnoea, one of the most basic symptoms of COPD. It is a scale consisting of 5 items based on different levels of activities that may cause dyspnoea in daily life. There are activities with difficulty levels that may increase dyspnoea over 0-4 points. Individuals will tick the most appropriate statement among these statements.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Peak flow rate (PEF)
Measurement will be made with a spirometer. The test will start with inspiration-expiration at tidal volume. Then a deep inspiratory manoeuvre will be followed by a rapid expiration. Peak flow rate (PEF) will be recorded. The measured values will be expressed as a percentage of the expected values according to height, age, gender and body weight (Miller et al., 2005). PEF will be performed with a spirometer (Cosmed Pony FX, Italy) according to ATS/ ERS criteria. Appropriate sterilisation method recommended by the guideline, disposable, personalised mouthpieces and filters will be used against the risk of infection.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)
Measurement will be made with a spirometer. The test will start with inspiration-expiration at tidal volume. Then a deep inspiratory manoeuvre will be followed by a rapid expiration. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) will be recorded. The measured values will be expressed as a percentage of the expected values according to height, age, gender and body weight (Miller et al., 2005). FEV1 will be performed with a spirometer (Cosmed Pony FX, Italy) according to ATS/ ERS criteria. Appropriate sterilisation method recommended by the guideline, disposable, personalised mouthpieces and filters will be used against the risk of infection.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Forced vital capacity (FVC)
Measurement will be made with a spirometer. The test will start with inspiration-expiration at tidal volume. Then a deep inspiratory manoeuvre will be followed by a rapid expiration. Forced vital capacity (FVC) will be recorded. The measured values will be expressed as a percentage of the expected values according to height, age, gender and body weight (Miller et al., 2005). FVC will be performed with a spirometer (Cosmed Pony FX, Italy) according to ATS/ ERS criteria. Appropriate sterilisation method recommended by the guideline, disposable, personalised mouthpieces and filters will be used against the risk of infection.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
FEV1/FVC
Measurement will be made with a spirometer. The test will start with inspiration-expiration at tidal volume. Then a deep inspiratory manoeuvre will be followed by a rapid expiration. FEV1/FVC will be recorded. The measured values will be expressed as a percentage of the expected values according to height, age, gender and body weight (Miller et al., 2005). FEV1/FVC will be performed with a spirometer (Cosmed Pony FX, Italy) according to ATS/ ERS criteria. Appropriate sterilisation method recommended by the guideline, disposable, personalised mouthpieces and filters will be used against the risk of infection.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Fatigue assessment
Fatigue will be assessed using the Borg scale. The participant will be asked to mark a number between 0 and 10 on the Borg scale for the severity of fatigue. 0 indicates no fatigue. 10 indicates very severe fatigue.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Peripheral Muscle Strength Assessment
Peripheral muscle strength of the shoulder abductor and flexor, elbow flexor, wrist extensor, knee extensor, hip flexor and ankle dorsiflexor muscles will be measured with a portable manual muscle strength measuring device (Model 01165, Lafayette, IN, USA). Measurements will be repeated three times for the right and left side.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA)
It is a questionnaire developed to evaluate cognitive functions. The cognitive functions assessed are concentration, language, memory, orientation, abstract thinking, visual structuring, calculation and executive functions. The maximum score that can be obtained from the test is 30, 21 or above indicates the absence of mild cognitive impairment.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
London Chest Activities of Daily Living Scale (LCADL)
It will be used for the assessment of activities of daily living. With 15 questions, the questionnaire questions the severity of dyspnoea during activities of daily living and includes sub-items such as domestic activities, leisure time, self-care and physical activities. Each item will be scored between 0 and 5. A high score indicates inadequacy in activities of daily living. The maximum total score is 75.
Measured: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Apr 2025
- Study start8 Apr 2025
- Primary completion8 Aug 2025
- Study completion10 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for COPDStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Okan University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Istinye University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Emine Atıcı, Okan University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06944626
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 11/2024.K-73
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 23 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 23 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Dyspnoea Perception, Pulmonary Function and Functional Level During COPD Exacerbation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06944626
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 11/2024.K-73
- Keywords
- COPD, tDCS, fNIRS, Dyspnea, Pulmonary function
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Okan UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Istinye University
- Study start
- 8 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 8 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a treatable disease characterized by irreversible and progressive airflow limitation, which is a cause of high morbidity and mortality. Dyspnea is an important component of COPD exacerbations that changes functional level and prognosis and limits the patient's quality of life and activities of daily living. Since COPD patients complain a lot of dyspnea associated with reduced exercise capacity and worsening lung function, there is a great need to develop effective physiologically based rehabilitation techniques to restore the dysfunctional respiratory motor system. Evidence supporting the importance of task-specific training based on neural plasticity also applies to pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD. Alterations in neuroplasticity and cortical excitability, tDCS is a promising technique for modulating brain activity. As a painless, easy-to-use and noninvasive technique, tDCS has shown efficacy in relieving pain, which shares the same neural substrates as dyspnea. Similarities have been established between the pathophysiology of dyspnea and pain. Close or even overlapping activation zones of brain structures involved in the integration of pain and dyspnea have been emphasized. Therefore, it is hypothesized that tDCS stimulation of areas where one or more of these cerebral structures are activated in pain may also have an effect on dyspnea. In light of this information, researchers believe that relieving dyspnea with tDCS will have an impact on the prognosis of patients during COPD exacerbations. In this context, researchers will evaluate the effects of tDCS on dyspnea perception, lung function, and functional level in patients with COPD exacerbation. When the literature was reviewed, no study on the use of tDCS in COPD patients was found. The use of tDCS as a non-invasive and easy-to-use effective treatment method with neuro-modulation to combat dyspnea and functional level in COPD patients constitutes the originality of the study.
Forty patients who were hospitalized in the Chest Diseases Service due to COPD exacerbation and met the inclusion criteria will be included in the study. The evaluation parameters included symptom assessment, breathlessness perception questionnaire, COPD assessment test, peripheral muscle strength assessment, grip strength assessment, pulmonary function test, Montreal cognitive assessment test, London chest activities of daily living scale, timed up and go test, hospital anxiety and depression scale, respiratory muscle strength, fNIRS and capnography. Assessments will take place before and after treatment. Sham (n:20) group will receive conventional physiotherapy and sham tDCS, while the Study (n:20) group will receive tDCS and conventional physiotherapy. For anodal tDCS, the anode electrode will be placed over the left primary motor cortex and the cathode will be placed over the right supraorbital region. For the study group, tDCS application will be applied with a current of 2 mA for 30 minutes on 3 consecutive days. In the sham group, tDCS application will be increased to 2 mA for the first 30 seconds and then decreased to 0 mA within 30 seconds after receiving current for 15 seconds. The electrodes will remain on the patient's head for the rest of the time (30 minutes in total).
In conclusion, the effects of tDCS on dyspnea perception, pulmonary function and functional level in COPD exacerbation period patients will be investigated. At the same time, the advantages of tDCS administration in COPD patients will be evaluated by examining its effects on cerebrovascular responses, tissue oxygenation, muscle strength, cognitive level, activity of daily living, anxiety and depression. It will provide different perspectives to clinicians and researchers who will create evaluation, treatment and study plans for COPD exacerbation period patients with limited treatment options and will be a guide for new research.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Study Gruop | Experimental | Device: tDCS, Other: Conventional physiotherapyConventional physiotherapy + tDCS |
| Sham group | Sham comparator | Device: Sham tDCS, Other: Conventional physiotherapyConventional physiotherapy + sham tDCS |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Diagnosed with COPD and followed up for at least 6 months
- Hospitalised due to an exacerbation
- Have not taken any medication affecting the nervous system in the last 6 months
- Co-operative
- Have the ability to participate in working procedures
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Having comorbidities other than COPD, such as bronchiectasis, lung cancer or asthma
- Surgery in the last 6 months (volume reduction surgery, etc.)
- Neuromuscular disease
- Pulmonary embolism or pulmonary oedema
- Presence of cranial, cardiac, spinal cord, intra-aural metal implants
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| tDCStDCS will be applied to the dorsalateral prefrontal cortex with a current of 2 mA for 30 minutes on 3 consecutive days. | Device | Study Gruop |
| Sham tDCSThe tDCS application will be increased to 2 mA for the first 30 seconds and will be reduced to 0 mA within 30 seconds after receiving current for 15 seconds. The electrodes will remain on the patient's head for the rest of the time (30 min in total). | Device | Sham group |
| Conventional physiotherapyWithin the scope of conventional physiotherapy, respiratory control training, diaphragmatic breathing exercise, puckered lip breathing, relaxation exercises will be started 10 minutes after the start of tDCS or sham tDCS application. While tDCS or sham tDCS application continues, 10 repetitions will be performed in order and with time for rest between exercises. | Other | Sham group, Study Gruop |
Primary outcome
Breathlessness Perception Questionnaire (BBQ):
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
The questionnaire consists of 11 items. Somatic focussing (BBQ-SF, 5 items) and activity avoidance (BBQ-AA, 6 items). Participants select a response for each item on a five-point scale from 'strongly disagree' (1 point) to 'strongly agree' (5 points), giving a total score between 11 and 55. A score of 11 reflects the absence of dyspnoea perception or dyspnoea-related kinesiophobia. High scores on the BBQ-SF reflect a perception that their illness is more harmful. High scores on the BBQ-AA reflect the patient's belief that physical activity that causes dyspnoea should be avoided as it may worsen their illness.
Oxygen saturation
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
The patient's oxygen saturation is measured by pulse oximetry.
COPD Assessment Test (CAT)
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
It is a one-dimensional scale consisting of 8 items that evaluates symptoms in COPD. It analyses the effect of symptoms such as cough, sputum, chest tightness, shortness of breath when climbing stairs, activity limitation at home, confidence when leaving home, sleep and energy on activities of daily living. Each question is numbered from 0 to 5 and the total score ranges from 0-40 points. The total score is classified according to five sections categorised according to the impact of symptoms on activities of daily living. According to this classification, the total score is categorised as follows: >30 points is considered as very high impact level, >20 points is considered as high impact level, 10-20 points is considered as medium impact level, <10 points is considered as low impact level, 5 points is considered as upper limit of normal impact level in healthy never smokers. The cut-off point for CAT in COPD was set as 10 points. Individuals will be asked to tick the most appropriate
Respiratory Muscle Strength
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Respiratory muscle strength will be measured in accordance with the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) criteria using an intraoral pressure measuring device (MicroRPM, Micro Medical; UK). All measurements will be performed in sitting position. The nasal airway will be closed with a nose clip and a suitable mouthpiece will be used. For maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), a maximal expiratory manoeuvre will be performed before the device is taken into the mouthpiece, followed by maximal inspiration (Müller manoeuvre) at maximum rate for 1-3 seconds. For maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), a maximum inspiratory manoeuvre will be performed before the device is taken into the mouth. This will be followed by maximal expiration (Valsalva manoeuvre) at maximum speed for 1-3 seconds. Three measurements will be repeated and the highest value will be recorded as cmH2O (ATS/ERS).
Functional Level Assessment
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
To assess the functional level of the patients, a 1 minute sit and stand test will be performed. The test, which is performed on a standard height (46) cm chair, will first be demonstrated by the physiotherapist. With the start command, the patients will be asked to switch from standing position to sitting without delay and repeat the test for 1 minute at the speed they determine and feel safe, in the form of full sitting and full standing. Care will be taken to ensure that the knee joint is in 90 degrees flexion when sitting and in full extension when standing.The number of times the person sits down and stands up during a minute will be recorded.
Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS):
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
fNIRS is a technique in which the amount of absorption of NIR light by chromophore molecules (such as oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb, cytochrome-c oxidase (CCO), myoglobin) is measured as it passes through tissues. The changes in oxy- and deoxy-Hb are visualised with the inserted sensors. Two or more colours of light are used to differentially distinguish absorption changes due to oxy-/deoxy-Hb. These changes in blood concentration will be monitored online.Optodes will be placed in the bilateral prefrontal cortex.
Capnography
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
The capnograph is a monitoring device that provides a graphical continuous record (mmHg) of the CO2 concentration in expired gases during respiration, giving information about the number of breaths per minute and the amount of CO2 removed in each breath. It measures the partial pressure of CO2 in expired air, called ETCO2, a reliable and time-sensitive clinical measure of respiratory function. ETCO2 has good concurrent validity compared with direct blood measurements. This value of 35 mmHg and below is often used as a cut-off point to define hypocapnia.Measurement is performed with the help of a nasal cannula.
Dyspnoea assessment
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Dyspnoea will be evaluated with Borg scale. The participant will be asked to tick a number between 0 and 10 on the scale for the severity of dyspnoea. 0 indicates no dyspnoea. 10 indicates very severe dyspnoea.
Heart rate
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
The patient's heart rate is measured by pulse oximetry.
Respiratory frequency
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Respiratory frequency will be measured with a capnograph device.The capnograph is a monitoring device that provides a graphical continuous record (mmHg) of the CO2 concentration in expired gases during respiration, giving information about the number of breaths per minute and the amount of CO2 removed in each breath.
Modifiye Medical Research Council(MMRC)
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
It is an objective scale that evaluates dyspnoea, one of the most basic symptoms of COPD. It is a scale consisting of 5 items based on different levels of activities that may cause dyspnoea in daily life. There are activities with difficulty levels that may increase dyspnoea over 0-4 points. Individuals will tick the most appropriate statement among these statements.
Peak flow rate (PEF)
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Measurement will be made with a spirometer. The test will start with inspiration-expiration at tidal volume. Then a deep inspiratory manoeuvre will be followed by a rapid expiration. Peak flow rate (PEF) will be recorded. The measured values will be expressed as a percentage of the expected values according to height, age, gender and body weight (Miller et al., 2005). PEF will be performed with a spirometer (Cosmed Pony FX, Italy) according to ATS/ ERS criteria. Appropriate sterilisation method recommended by the guideline, disposable, personalised mouthpieces and filters will be used against the risk of infection.
Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Measurement will be made with a spirometer. The test will start with inspiration-expiration at tidal volume. Then a deep inspiratory manoeuvre will be followed by a rapid expiration. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) will be recorded. The measured values will be expressed as a percentage of the expected values according to height, age, gender and body weight (Miller et al., 2005). FEV1 will be performed with a spirometer (Cosmed Pony FX, Italy) according to ATS/ ERS criteria. Appropriate sterilisation method recommended by the guideline, disposable, personalised mouthpieces and filters will be used against the risk of infection.
Forced vital capacity (FVC)
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Measurement will be made with a spirometer. The test will start with inspiration-expiration at tidal volume. Then a deep inspiratory manoeuvre will be followed by a rapid expiration. Forced vital capacity (FVC) will be recorded. The measured values will be expressed as a percentage of the expected values according to height, age, gender and body weight (Miller et al., 2005). FVC will be performed with a spirometer (Cosmed Pony FX, Italy) according to ATS/ ERS criteria. Appropriate sterilisation method recommended by the guideline, disposable, personalised mouthpieces and filters will be used against the risk of infection.
FEV1/FVC
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Measurement will be made with a spirometer. The test will start with inspiration-expiration at tidal volume. Then a deep inspiratory manoeuvre will be followed by a rapid expiration. FEV1/FVC will be recorded. The measured values will be expressed as a percentage of the expected values according to height, age, gender and body weight (Miller et al., 2005). FEV1/FVC will be performed with a spirometer (Cosmed Pony FX, Italy) according to ATS/ ERS criteria. Appropriate sterilisation method recommended by the guideline, disposable, personalised mouthpieces and filters will be used against the risk of infection.
Fatigue assessment
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Fatigue will be assessed using the Borg scale. The participant will be asked to mark a number between 0 and 10 on the Borg scale for the severity of fatigue. 0 indicates no fatigue. 10 indicates very severe fatigue.
3 secondary outcomes
Peripheral Muscle Strength Assessment
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA)
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
London Chest Activities of Daily Living Scale (LCADL)
Time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing tDCS and Conventional physiotherapy in people with COPD and Dyspnea, run by Okan University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Breathlessness Perception Questionnaire (BBQ): (time frame: Day 1 (before treatment) and day 3 (after treatment)). The study lists 16 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Sep 2025.