Combined Posture Correction and Resistive Respiratory Muscles Training in COPD With FHP

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 40 to 60 years
• All sexes
• Healthy volunteers accepted
• Adult

Trial locations and contacts

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

About this study

Official title: Effects of Combined Posture Correction Exercise and Resistive Respiratory Muscle Training on Dyspnea, Chest Expansion, Craniovertebral Angle and Pulmonary Function Test, in COPD Patients With Forward Head Posture

Conditions

COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Forward Head Posture

Being tested

Resistive inspiratory muscles training, Resistive expiratory muscles training:, Combined resistive inspiratory and expiratory muscles training

Keywords

craniovertebral angle, resistive training, posture correction, dyspnea

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.

• Resistive inspiratory muscles trainingDevice

  Resistive Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) will be implemented using a threshold inspiratory muscle trainer, which requires patients to inhale through a one-way valve that provides adjustable resistance. The training sessions will begin with patients sitting comfortably in an upright position to optimize lung function. They will be instructed to take a deep breath, ensuring their diaphragm engages fully, and then inhale through the device, which will resist airflow, thereby increasing the workload on the inspiratory muscles. Initially, the resistance will be set at a level that is challenging yet achievable, with the aim to gradually increase resistance as the patient's strength and endurance improve. Each session will last 30 minutes, consisting of intervals of resisted inhalation followed by brief rest periods. Patients will perform 3 sets of 10 breaths with appropriate breaks in between. The training will be conducted 3 times per week,

• Resistive expiratory muscles training:Device

  Resistive Expiratory Muscle Training (EMT) will be employed to enhance the strength and endurance of the expiratory muscles in COPD patients. This training will utilize a threshold expiratory muscle trainer, designed to provide resistance during exhalation, thereby engaging the abdominal and intercostal muscles effectively. Patients will begin each session in a comfortable, upright position to optimize lung function. They will be instructed to take a deep inhalation to fully expand their lungs, and then exhale forcefully through the device against the resistance. The resistance level will be adjustable and initially set to a manageable level, with plans to gradually increase it as the patient's strength improves. Each training session will last 30 minutes, consisting of intervals of resisted exhalation followed by brief recovery periods. Patients will perform 3 sets of 10 breaths, with appropriate breaks in between. it will be performed 3 times per week

• Combined resistive inspiratory and expiratory muscles trainingDevice

  Resistive Inspiratory and Expiratory Muscle Training will be implemented concurrently as a comprehensive approach to enhance the strength and endurance of both inspiratory and expiratory muscles in COPD patients. During each session, patients will utilize a threshold inspiratory muscle trainer for inhalation while simultaneously using a threshold expiratory muscle trainer for exhalation. Each training session will last 20-30 minutes, beginning with patients taking a deep breath to fully engage their diaphragm before inhaling through the inspiratory trainer and exhaling forcefully against the resistance of the expiratory trainer. Patients will perform 3 sets of 10 breaths, with appropriate breaks in between to prevent fatigue and ensure effective training. This resistive EMT protocol will be conducted 3 times per week

What is being measured

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

1. Dyspnea-12 questionnaire:

   The Dyspnoea-12 (D-12), particularly evaluates both the physical and emotional components of dyspnea, was created to provide a quick, reliable assessment that is applicable to a wide range of cardiorespiratory conditions. Twelve items on the D-12 measure dyspnea on a four-point scale from none to mild, moderate, and severe. The physical domain is the sum of the scores for the first seven items, which range from 0 to 21. The affective domain scores, which range from 0 to 15, are the sum of the remaining five items. The D-12 total scores, which range from 0 to 36, are the sum of the twelve items. Severity can be determined by higher scores.

   The test provided significant evidence of assessing characteristics such as construct validity, internal consistency, and structural validity in the Norwegian-language D-12

   Measured: pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week

2. Measuring tape

   The tape measure is a conventional instrument used to assess chest expansion. It measures circumferentially at predetermined spots on the chest wall. Assuring that the underlying soft tissues have not been compressed will assist in helping the tape conform to the chest wall. (24) A tape is used at two distinct rib cage positions to quantify chest expansion. Three anatomical landmarks for thoracic expansion will be the angle of Louis on sternum, xiphoid process of mid chest expansion, midpoint between the xiphoid process and umbilicus for lower chest expansion.

   Measurements of chest expansion performed with a tape on the upper and lower thoracic levels have a strong relationship and exhibit good intra- and inter-rater reliability and consistency.

   Measured: pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week

3. Radiograph

   One of the common objective methods for evaluating head posture is the measurement of craniovertebral (CV) angle. It is the angle formed when a line drawn horizontally through the seventh cervical (C7) vertebra's spinous process and a line connecting it to the tragus of ear.

   Radiographic measurements play a crucial role in assessing cervical spine alignment in the sagittal plane by evaluating the relative positions of the vertebrae and joints

   Measured: pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week

4. Spirometer

   A spirometer is a device that measures the amount of air that a person can inhale and exhale during a predetermined period of time. This measurement is typically performed to diagnose lung diseases, specifically blockage and reorganization, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) are a few spirometer characteristics that are utilized for clinical assessment. The existence or lack of anomalies in the lung can be detected using two of the three measures. Spirometry is an easy, safe, non-invasive, and reasonably priced diagnostic tool for identifying airflow blockage. Spirometry, one of the currently available methods for the early detection of asthma and COPD, is therefore very crucial. It is advised that patients with asthma and COPD measure their static and dynamic respiratory functions every day in order to easily monitor their lung health and avoid exacerbations.

   Measured: pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week

Timeline

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

1. First posted19 Dec 2025
2. Study start2 Dec 2025
3. Primary completion25 Feb 2026 (estimated)
4. Study completion25 Feb 2026 (estimated)

Resources

• Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
• Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
• Other trials for COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseStudies 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.