AzTrials
AzTrials

Parkinson's DiseaseNCT07268703

Expiratory Muscle Training in Parkinson's Disease With Forward Trunk Flexion

A study testing Expiratory muscle strength training in people with Parkinson's Disease, run by General University Hospital, Prague at 1 site in Czechia.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Postural abnormalities (PA) negatively affecting the axial system are part of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). They occur in more than 20% of patients with PD especially in more advanced stages of the disease, contribute significantly to patient disability, affect respiratory functions, and reduce quality of… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Parkinson's Disease
What is being tested?
Expiratory muscle strength training
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
28 participants
Where
1 siteCzechia
Study dates
Dec 2025to May 2026
Phase
Interventional
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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosis of Parkinson' s disease
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • MoCA score (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) ≥ 19
  • Score II-IV during the "ON" phase under regular antiparkinsonian medication according to the Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale
  • Pathological forward trunk flexion defined as thoracic (≥ 25°) or lumbar flexion (> 15°) during standing and walking, which completely disappears in the supine position (for the experimental group only)

Who cannot join

  • Change in antiparkinsonian medication within the last 3 months prior to study enrollment
  • Other neurological, orthopedic, cardiovascular, or respiratory comorbidities
  • Inability to cooperate due to neuropsychological dysfunction
  • Current smoking history
  • Inadequate lip seal

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Kateřina Dvořáková, MSc. contact

+420 224 965 513

katerina.dvorakova@vfn.cz

Martin Srp, PhD. contact

+420 224 965 513

Czechia1 site
  • General University Hospital

    Prague, 12000

Other trials in Czechia

About this study

Official title: Effect of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training in Patients With Parkinson's Disease and Forward Trunk Flexion: A Pilot Study

Postural abnormalities (PA) negatively affecting the axial system are part of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). They occur in more than 20% of patients with PD especially in more advanced stages of the disease, contribute significantly to patient disability, affect respiratory functions, and reduce quality of life. Eighty-five percent of patients with forward trunk flexion (FTF) reported difficulties with swallowing (dysphagia), shortness of breath, and drooling. Previous studies in patients with PD also identified cough disorders (dystussia). Since cough and properly functioning swallowing are key mechanisms for airway protection, impairments in these functions lead to a higher risk of aspiration. The seriousness of this problem is clearly confirmed by the fact that aspiration pneumonia is the leading cause of death in patients with PD.

Among non-pharmacological interventions for airway protection, expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) has been shown to be beneficial in patients with PD. Recent randomized controlled studies demonstrated a significant effect of EMST on dysphagia, dystussia, drooling, and dysarthria in patients with PD.

Read more

However, the literature lacks data on the effect of EMST on dystussia in patients with PD and FTF, who, according to previous research, are also affected by restrictive ventilatory impairment, which negatively affects respiratory capacity and, in particular, cough strength.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of EMST on cough, swallowing, respiratory muscle strength, and drooling in patients with PD and forward trunk flexion.

Being tested
Expiratory muscle strength training
Keywords
Parkinson's Disease, Expiratory Muscle Strength Training, Forward Trunk Flexion
Medical subject headings
Parkinson Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Expiratory muscle strength trainingDevice

    Participants will perform a 4-week Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) program using the EMST150™ device. EMST therapy sessions will be completed at home on 5 days per week, at the participant's convenience, performing five sets of five forceful exhalations through the device. The resistance of the device will be set to 75% of the patient's individual maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). The daily training will take approximately 15 minutes. Device resistance will be recalibrated at visits in weeks 0, 2, and 4 to ensure correct training and settings.

Study groups in NCT07268703
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PD with Forward Trunk FlexionExperimentalParticipants in this arm have Parkinson's disease and forward trunk flexion, defined as thoracic flexion ≥25° or lumbar flexion ≥15° while standing and walking, which completely disappears when lying down. They will follow the study schedule including all assessments and the 4-week EMST program. Outcomes will include voluntary peak cough flow, respiratory muscle strength, swallowing function (FEES), drooling, and posture assessment using standardized photographs.
Receives: Device: Expiratory muscle strength training
PD without Forward Trunk FlexionActive comparatorParticipants in this arm have Parkinson's disease without forward trunk flexion (no postural abnormalities). They will follow the same study schedule including all assessments and the 4-week EMST program as the experimental group.
Receives: Device: Expiratory muscle strength training

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Voluntary peak cough flow

    Assessments will be performed in accordance with American Thoracic Society/European Thoracic Society guidelines.

    Measured: Week -1, week 0, week 4, week 8

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Assessment of Swallowing

    Swallowing will be assessed using a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). This is a standardized examination of the swallowing process, which involves transnasal insertion of a flexible endoscope into the pharynx, followed by evaluation of food passage. The assessment will be performed according to established protocols for patients with Parkinson's disease. All FEES examinations will be video-recorded, anonymized, and subsequently independently evaluated by blinded raters in a randomized order.

    Measured: Week -1, week 4, week 8

  2. Assessment of Drooling

    Drooling will be assessed using a questionnaire consisting of seven items evaluating the presence and severity of uncontrolled saliva leakage from the mouth in various aspects of daily life in patients with Parkinson's disease.

    Measured: Week -1, week 4, week 8

  3. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP)

    Assessments will be performed in accordance with American Thoracic Society/European Thoracic Society guidelines.

    Measured: Week -1, week 0, week 4, week 8

  4. Forced vital capacity (FVC)

    Assessments will be performed in accordance with American Thoracic Society/European Thoracic Society guidelines.

    Measured: Week -1, week 0, week 4, week 8

  5. Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)

    Assessments will be performed in accordance with American Thoracic Society/European Thoracic Society guidelines.

    Measured: Week -1, week 0, week 4, week 8

  6. Peak expiratory flow (PEF)

    Assessments will be performed in accordance with American Thoracic Society/European Thoracic Society guidelines.

    Measured: Week -1, week 0, week 4, week 8

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Dec 2025
  2. Study startDec 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionMar 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMay 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
28 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07268703
Sponsor's protocol ID
45-25 S-IV
Status last verified
Nov 2025
First submitted
25 Nov 2025
Last updated
8 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Laveneziana P, Albuquerque A, Aliverti A, Babb T, Barreiro E, Dres M, Dube BP, Fauroux B, Gea J, Guenette JA, Hudson AL, Kabitz HJ, Laghi F, Langer D, Luo YM, Neder JA, O'Donnell D, Polkey MI, Rabinovich RA, Rossi A, Series F, Similowski T, Spengler CM, Vogiatzis I, Verges S. ERS statement on respiratory muscle testing at rest and during exercise. Eur Respir J. 2019 Jun 13;53(6):1801214. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01214-2018. Print 2019 Jun.

    PubMed 30956204
  • Tinazzi M, Geroin C, Bhidayasiri R, Bloem BR, Capato T, Djaldetti R, Doherty K, Fasano A, Tibar H, Lopiano L, Margraf NG, Merello M, Moreau C, Ugawa Y, Artusi CA; International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society Task Force on Postural Abnormalities. Task Force Consensus on Nosology and Cut-Off Values for Axial Postural Abnormalities in Parkinsonism. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2022 May 9;9(5):594-603. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.13460. eCollection 2022 Jul.

    PubMed 35844289
  • Forsyth AL, Joshi RY, Canning CG, Allen NE, Paul SS. Flexed Posture in Parkinson Disease: Associations With Nonmotor Impairments and Activity Limitations. Phys Ther. 2019 Jul 1;99(7):893-903. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzz033.

    PubMed 30830153
  • Troche MS, Rosenbek JC, Okun MS, Sapienza CM. Detraining outcomes with expiratory muscle strength training in Parkinson disease. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(2):305-10. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2013.05.0101.

    PubMed 24933728
  • Cocks N, Rafols J, Embley E, Hill K. Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Drooling in Adults with Parkinson's Disease. Dysphagia. 2022 Dec;37(6):1525-1531. doi: 10.1007/s00455-022-10408-6. Epub 2022 Feb 16.

    PubMed 35171321
  • Claus I, Muhle P, Czechowski J, Ahring S, Labeit B, Suntrup-Krueger S, Wiendl H, Dziewas R, Warnecke T. Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Therapy of Pharyngeal Dysphagia in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord. 2021 Aug;36(8):1815-1824. doi: 10.1002/mds.28552. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

    PubMed 33650729
  • Troche MS, Curtis JA, Sevitz JS, Dakin AE, Perry SE, Borders JC, Grande AA, Mou Y, Vanegas-Arroyave N, Hegland KW. Rehabilitating Cough Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Mov Disord. 2023 Feb;38(2):201-211. doi: 10.1002/mds.29268. Epub 2022 Nov 7.

    PubMed 36345090
  • Margraf NG, Granert O, Hampel J, Wrede A, Schulz-Schaeffer WJ, Deuschl G. Clinical Definition of Camptocormia in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2016 Oct 11;4(3):349-357. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.12437. eCollection 2017 May-Jun.

    PubMed 30363363
  • Tinazzi M, Gandolfi M, Ceravolo R, Capecci M, Andrenelli E, Ceravolo MG, Bonanni L, Onofrj M, Vitale M, Catalan M, Polverino P, Bertolotti C, Mazzucchi S, Giannoni S, Smania N, Tamburin S, Vacca L, Stocchi F, Radicati FG, Artusi CA, Zibetti M, Lopiano L, Fasano A, Geroin C. Postural Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease: An Epidemiological and Clinical Multicenter Study. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2019 Jun 29;6(7):576-585. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.12810. eCollection 2019 Sep.

    PubMed 31538092

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Expiratory muscle strength training in people with Parkinson's Disease, run by General University Hospital, Prague at 1 site in Czechia.

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 5 inclusion and 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Dec 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 Czechia. 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.

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?

Contact Kateřina Dvořáková, MSc. (+420 224 965 513, katerina.dvorakova@vfn.cz), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Voluntary peak cough flow (time frame: Week -1, week 0, week 4, week 8). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07268703, which also lists 9 linked publications.

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 8 Dec 2025.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in