AsthmaEarly Phase 1NCT07036887
Effectiveness of 1st Rib Mobilization and Scalene Muscles Muscle Energy Technique Among Patients With Asthma
A Early Phase 1 study testing First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy and Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy in people with Asthma, run by Superior University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of first rib mobilization and scalene muscle energy technique (MET) in improving respiratory function and reducing symptoms in patients with asthma. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Asthma
- What is being tested?
- First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy and Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 47 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 4 Mar 2025to 30 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Early Phase 1
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Both male and female age range: 18-65 years.
- Diagnosed with asthma according to the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria.
- Presence of musculoskeletal symptoms; Complaints of chest tightness, neck stiffness, or restricted upper thoracic mobility, often associated with dysfunctional breathing patterns.
- Ability to provide informed consent and comply with the treatment protocol.
Who cannot join
- clinically unstable or had a neuromuscular disease, unstable cardiovascular disease, or musculoskeletal disease that may interfere with exercise
- History of thoracic or cervical spine surgery, trauma, or fractures
- Pregnancy or postpartum status
- Rheumatologic diseases, a history of musculoskeletal trauma, or musculoskeletal malformations.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Chaudary Muhammad Akram Teaching Hospital, Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University
Lahore, Punjab Province
About this study
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of first rib mobilization and scalene muscle energy technique (MET) in improving respiratory function and reducing symptoms in patients with asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways characterized by bronchoconstriction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and mucus overproduction, often leading to respiratory difficulty and increased use of accessory muscles such as the scalene.
Read the detailed description
Manual therapy techniques like first rib mobilization and scalene MET are believed to restore upper thoracic mobility, reduce muscle tightness, and optimize breathing mechanics. In this study, 47 asthmatic patients will be randomly assigned into two groups: Group A will receive first rib mobilization combined with respiratory physiotherapy, while Group B will receive scalene MET along with the same physiotherapy protocol. Treatment will be administered three times a week for four weeks.
- Conditions
- Asthma
- Being tested
- First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy, Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy
- Medical subject headings
- Asthma
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory PhysiotherapyDiagnostic test
Patients were given post isometric relaxation for restricted first rib in sitting position and therefore the affected elevated first rib, opposite foot of therapist was placed on the table and patient non affected arm is 'dropped' on the therapist flexed knee. The practitioner's conjointly flexes the elbow on the non-affected side placed anterior to shoulder with the hand supporting the patient facet of head. Then therapist makes contact with the tubercle of the first rib with fingers or thumb of affected side (patient) disposing of available soft tissue. slack as steady force is applied in inferior direction. The therapist eases his flexed leg and uses his supported hand to encourage patient's neck into a side flexion and rotation to affected side thus unloading the scalene tension thereon side and encourage the first rib to move anteriorly and inferiorly
Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory PhysiotherapyCombination product
MET for the scalene muscle, the participants were made to lie supine with a cushion or towel under the upper thoracic area. The PT placed his hand on the side of the participant's face/forehead to resist the isometric contraction and the other hand on the sternum. The participants were asked to perform the action of the anterior scalene muscle against PT resistance and hold it for 7-8 seconds followed by relaxation. (42) Along with the same respiratory physiotherapy protocol used in Group A. The treatment protocol was given for three sessions per week for four weeks
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy | Experimental | Not described Receives: Diagnostic Test: First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy |
| Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Combination Product: Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)
The total score has a maximum of 100 points, with values ranging from 0 to 100. The higher the number, the more impact the disease has.
Measured: 6 Month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jun 2025
- Study start4 Mar 2025
- Primary completion1 Jun 2025
- Study completion30 Sep 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AsthmaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Superior UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Early Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 47 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Superior University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Muhammad Naveed Babur, Superior University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07036887
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- DPT/Batch-Fall20/1001
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Jun 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of 1st Rib Mobilization and Scalene Muscles Muscle Energy Technique Among Patients With Asthma
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07036887
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DPT/Batch-Fall20/1001
- Conditions
- Asthma
- Phase
- Early Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 47 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Superior UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Jun 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.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of first rib mobilization and scalene muscle energy technique (MET) in improving respiratory function and reducing symptoms in patients with asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways characterized by bronchoconstriction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and mucus overproduction, often leading to respiratory difficulty and increased use of accessory muscles such as the scalene.
Detailed description
Manual therapy techniques like first rib mobilization and scalene MET are believed to restore upper thoracic mobility, reduce muscle tightness, and optimize breathing mechanics. In this study, 47 asthmatic patients will be randomly assigned into two groups: Group A will receive first rib mobilization combined with respiratory physiotherapy, while Group B will receive scalene MET along with the same physiotherapy protocol. Treatment will be administered three times a week for four weeks.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy |
| Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy | Active comparator | Combination Product: Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Both male and female age range: 18-65 years.
- Diagnosed with asthma according to the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria.
- Presence of musculoskeletal symptoms; Complaints of chest tightness, neck stiffness, or restricted upper thoracic mobility, often associated with dysfunctional breathing patterns.
- Ability to provide informed consent and comply with the treatment protocol.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- clinically unstable or had a neuromuscular disease, unstable cardiovascular disease, or musculoskeletal disease that may interfere with exercise
- History of thoracic or cervical spine surgery, trauma, or fractures
- Pregnancy or postpartum status
- Rheumatologic diseases, a history of musculoskeletal trauma, or musculoskeletal malformations.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory PhysiotherapyPatients were given post isometric relaxation for restricted first rib in sitting position and therefore the affected elevated first rib, opposite foot of therapist was placed on the table and patient non affected arm is 'dropped' on the therapist flexed knee. The practitioner's conjointly flexes the elbow on the non-affected side placed anterior to shoulder with the hand supporting the patient facet of head. Then therapist makes contact with the tubercle of the first rib with fingers or thumb of affected side (patient) disposing of available soft tissue. slack as steady force is applied in inferior direction. The therapist eases his flexed leg and uses his supported hand to encourage patient's neck into a side flexion and rotation to affected side thus unloading the scalene tension thereon side and encourage the first rib to move anteriorly and inferiorly | Diagnostic test | First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy |
| Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory PhysiotherapyMET for the scalene muscle, the participants were made to lie supine with a cushion or towel under the upper thoracic area. The PT placed his hand on the side of the participant's face/forehead to resist the isometric contraction and the other hand on the sternum. The participants were asked to perform the action of the anterior scalene muscle against PT resistance and hold it for 7-8 seconds followed by relaxation. (42) Along with the same respiratory physiotherapy protocol used in Group A. The treatment protocol was given for three sessions per week for four weeks | Combination product | Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy |
Primary outcome
St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)
Time frame: 6 Month
The total score has a maximum of 100 points, with values ranging from 0 to 100. The higher the number, the more impact the disease has.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Jun 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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 Early Phase 1 study testing First Rib Mobilization + Respiratory Physiotherapy and Scalene Muscle Energy Technique (MET) + Respiratory Physiotherapy in people with Asthma, run by Superior University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 4 inclusion and 4 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Jun 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 Pakistan. 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. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Early Phase 1 (sometimes called Phase 0) studies give a very small amount of a treatment to a few people, mainly to see how the body handles it.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) (time frame: 6 Month). 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 25 Jun 2025.