AsthmaNCT07331662
Intercostal and Thoracic Cage Stretching on Chest Expansion , Dyspnea ,Oxygen Saturation in Asthma
A study testing thoracic cage stretching and intercostal stretching in people with Asthma and Asthma (Diagnosis), run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The rationale of this study is to clarify distinct role of these two stretching techniques in pulmonary rehabilitation. Insight gained from this research could provide evidence based recommendations for implementing these therapeutic approaches, aiming to optimize symptoms in asthma patients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Asthma, Asthma (Diagnosis)
- What is being tested?
- thoracic cage stretching and intercostal stretching
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 56 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 17 Apr 2025to 17 Dec 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 Any age
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Inclusion Criteria: Both males and females ,Diagnosed asthma patients ,All patients must have variable respiratory symptoms (cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and/or chest tightness),All patients have to be clinically stable (ie, no exacerbations or changes in medication for the last 4 weeks before enrollment, sedentary life (doing <60 min of physical activity per week)
Exclusion Criteria: Other respiratory disease , Any orthopedic limitations ,Pediatric population ,Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension ,Cardiovascular condition, pregnancy ,Smokers/ex-smokers
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Intercostal and Thoracic Cage Stretching on Chest Expansion, Dyspnea, Oxygen Saturation in Asthma Patients
The rationale of this study is to clarify distinct role of these two stretching techniques in pulmonary rehabilitation. Insight gained from this research could provide evidence based recommendations for implementing these therapeutic approaches, aiming to optimize symptoms in asthma patients. so improved respiratory function and muscular flexibility can empower individuals with asthma to better manage their condition, weakening of muscles, airflow obstruction , reduce the effort required for daily activities and engage more fully in physical and everyday tasks thereby enhancing overall quality of life.
Read the detailed description
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by the inflammation and constriction of the airways, resulting in recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. This condition often results in the weakening and atrophy of muscles, particularly the key areas impacted include the respiratory muscles like intercostal muscles, muscles in the chest, shoulders, thoracic become weaker due to decreased physical activity. Stretching exercises can offer several benefits for individuals with asthma by improving overall lung function, enhancing muscle strength, and promoting relaxation. The objective of this study will be to evaluate the effects of intercostal and thoracic cage stretching on chest expansion, dyspnea, and oxygen saturation in asthma patients.
This study will be conducted as a randomized clinical trial with enrollment of 56 participants, that will divided equally into two groups. Group A will receive intercostal muscle stretching like lateral side bending stretch, torso rotational stretch, (4x\week) or Group B will undergo thoracic cage stretching like overhead arm chest stretch, chest opener stretch,(4x\week) .Study will be conducted for four weeks at sheikh zaid hospital Lahore, involving asthma patients both male and female. Key outcome measures will include chest expansion assessed using tape measure, dyspnea via Borg category scale, oxygen saturation via pulse oximeter. The non-probability convenient sampling technique, followed by random allocation using a lottery method ensure diverse yet unbiased sample. Pre, Post values will be noted. Data will be entered and analyzed by SPSS version 25 after checking normality of the data. Parametric and non-parametric test will be applied. Statistical significance will be set at P=0.05.
- Conditions
- Asthma, Asthma (Diagnosis)
- Being tested
- thoracic cage stretching, intercostal stretching
- Medical subject headings
- Asthma, Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
thoracic cage stretchingOther
thoracic cage stretching involve Sessions 4 times per week ,Intensity Stretch to the point of mild discomfort, but not pain. The goal is to feel a gentle stretch in the muscles being targeted, promoting flexibility without risking injury. Duration of Sessions: Each session should last about 30-40 minutes. Exercise Duration: Each exercise should involve 10repetitions ,Hold stretch for 10-30 sec. sets: 1-2, Rest for 1- 2 minutes between these two exercises. Types :chest opener stretch and overhead arm chest stretch
intercostal stretchingOther
intercostal stretching involve Sessions 4 times per week ,Intensity Stretch to the point of mild discomfort, but not pain. The goal is to feel a gentle stretch in the muscles being targeted, promoting flexibility without risking injury. Duration of Sessions: Each session should last about 30-40 minutes. Exercise Duration: Each exercise should involve 10repetitions ,Hold stretch for 10-30 sec. sets: 1-2, Rest for 1- 2 minutes between these two exercises. Types :lateral side bend stretch and torso rotational stretch
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| intercostal stretching | Experimental | initially all patients will receive hotpack for 10-15 min then intercostal stretching will performed by them Receives: Other: intercostal stretching |
| Thoracic cage stretching | Experimental | initially all patients will receive hotpack for 10-15 min then intercostal stretching will performed by them Receives: Other: thoracic cage stretching |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
chest expansion
To measure chest expansion, we used a plastic tape measure. Stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides, ideally wearing minimal clothing. First, measure your chest at rest by wrapping the tape around the widest part, under the armpits, across the nipples and at the level of xiphoid process, ensuring it's snug but not tight. Take this measurement after a normal exhalation. Next, for maximum expansion, take a deep breath and fully expand your chest, then measure again in the same spot at full inhalation. To find your chest expansion, subtract the resting measurement from the expanded measurement. It's best to repeat the process for accuracy,
Measured: 4 week
Secondary outcomes (1)
dyspnea
The Borg Category Scale for dyspnea is a valuable tool for assessing breathlessness in asthma patients, ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no breathlessness and 10 represents maximal breathlessness. This scale enables patients to communicate their level of discomfort during various activities. During the study, participants were asked to rate their dyspnea before and after performing the exercises, providing a clear indication of any changes in their respiratory comfort. So we gained comprehensive insights into the effectiveness of the interventions in asthma patients.
Measured: for 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Jan 2026
- Study start17 Apr 2025
- Primary completion17 Dec 2025
- Study completion17 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (16)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for AsthmaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International 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
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Riffat Malik malik, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07331662
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- S24C14G36006
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 29 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 12 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Jahan N. Effectiveness of inter costal stretch techniques among copd patients at NIDCH: Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University …; 2017.
Trivedi D, Das AK. Effect of Intercostal Stretch and Breathing Control Exercise on Lung Function among Healthy Young Females.
Kumar MB, Reddy RS. Immediate effect of intercostal stretch on chest expansion in healthy smokers. 2021.
Yu L-J, Kim T-HJIJoHM, Sciences S. The effect of cervical stabilization exercises with thoracic spine extension exercises on forward head posture. 2021;9(5):852-7.
Safarini OA, Bordoni B. Anatomy, Thorax, Ribs. 2023 Jul 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538328/
PubMed 30855912Chand, Vaish H. Effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patients with mechanical neck pain: A single group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Oct;36:148-152. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.07.004. Epub 2023 Jul 5.
PubMed 37949552Armstrong M, Vogiatzis I. Personalized exercise training in chronic lung diseases. Respirology. 2019 Sep;24(9):854-862. doi: 10.1111/resp.13639. Epub 2019 Jul 3.
PubMed 31270909Miller RL, Grayson MH, Strothman K. Advances in asthma: New understandings of asthma's natural history, risk factors, underlying mechanisms, and clinical management. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021 Dec;148(6):1430-1441. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.10.001. Epub 2021 Oct 14.
PubMed 34655640Eguiluz-Gracia I, Tay TR, Hew M, Escribese MM, Barber D, O'Hehir RE, Torres MJ. Recent developments and highlights in biomarkers in allergic diseases and asthma. Allergy. 2018 Dec;73(12):2290-2305. doi: 10.1111/all.13628. Epub 2018 Oct 30.
PubMed 30289997Osadnik CR, Gleeson C, McDonald VM, Holland AE. Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Aug 22;8(8):CD013485. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013485.pub2.
PubMed 35993916Schoettler N, Strek ME. Recent Advances in Severe Asthma: From Phenotypes to Personalized Medicine. Chest. 2020 Mar;157(3):516-528. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.10.009. Epub 2019 Oct 31.
PubMed 31678077Cevhertas L, Ogulur I, Maurer DJ, Burla D, Ding M, Jansen K, Koch J, Liu C, Ma S, Mitamura Y, Peng Y, Radzikowska U, Rinaldi AO, Satitsuksanoa P, Globinska A, van de Veen W, Sokolowska M, Baerenfaller K, Gao YD, Agache I, Akdis M, Akdis CA. Advances and recent developments in asthma in 2020. Allergy. 2020 Dec;75(12):3124-3146. doi: 10.1111/all.14607. Epub 2020 Oct 16.
PubMed 32997808Aaron SD, Boulet LP, Reddel HK, Gershon AS. Underdiagnosis and Overdiagnosis of Asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Oct 15;198(8):1012-1020. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201804-0682CI.
PubMed 29756989Gonzalez-Garcia M, Caballero A, Jaramillo C, Maldonado D, Torres-Duque CA. Prevalence, risk factors and underdiagnosis of asthma and wheezing in adults 40 years and older: A population-based study. J Asthma. 2015 Oct;52(8):823-30. doi: 10.3109/02770903.2015.1010733. Epub 2015 May 21.
PubMed 25996179Varraso R, Camargo CA Jr. Diet and asthma: need to account for asthma type and level of prevention. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2016 Nov;10(11):1147-1150. doi: 10.1080/17476348.2016.1240033. Epub 2016 Oct 5. No abstract available.
PubMed 27701925
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Intercostal and Thoracic Cage Stretching on Chest Expansion, Dyspnea, Oxygen Saturation in Asthma Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07331662
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- S24C14G36006
- Conditions
- Asthma, Asthma (Diagnosis)
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Jan 2026 (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.
The rationale of this study is to clarify distinct role of these two stretching techniques in pulmonary rehabilitation. Insight gained from this research could provide evidence based recommendations for implementing these therapeutic approaches, aiming to optimize symptoms in asthma patients. so improved respiratory function and muscular flexibility can empower individuals with asthma to better manage their condition, weakening of muscles, airflow obstruction , reduce the effort required for daily activities and engage more fully in physical and everyday tasks thereby enhancing overall quality of life.
Detailed description
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by the inflammation and constriction of the airways, resulting in recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. This condition often results in the weakening and atrophy of muscles, particularly the key areas impacted include the respiratory muscles like intercostal muscles, muscles in the chest, shoulders, thoracic become weaker due to decreased physical activity. Stretching exercises can offer several benefits for individuals with asthma by improving overall lung function, enhancing muscle strength, and promoting relaxation. The objective of this study will be to evaluate the effects of intercostal and thoracic cage stretching on chest expansion, dyspnea, and oxygen saturation in asthma patients.
This study will be conducted as a randomized clinical trial with enrollment of 56 participants, that will divided equally into two groups. Group A will receive intercostal muscle stretching like lateral side bending stretch, torso rotational stretch, (4x\week) or Group B will undergo thoracic cage stretching like overhead arm chest stretch, chest opener stretch,(4x\week) .Study will be conducted for four weeks at sheikh zaid hospital Lahore, involving asthma patients both male and female. Key outcome measures will include chest expansion assessed using tape measure, dyspnea via Borg category scale, oxygen saturation via pulse oximeter. The non-probability convenient sampling technique, followed by random allocation using a lottery method ensure diverse yet unbiased sample. Pre, Post values will be noted. Data will be entered and analyzed by SPSS version 25 after checking normality of the data. Parametric and non-parametric test will be applied. Statistical significance will be set at P=0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| intercostal stretching | Experimental | Other: intercostal stretchinginitially all patients will receive hotpack for 10-15 min then intercostal stretching will performed by them |
| Thoracic cage stretching | Experimental | Other: thoracic cage stretchinginitially all patients will receive hotpack for 10-15 min then intercostal stretching will performed by them |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
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 |
|---|---|---|
| thoracic cage stretchingthoracic cage stretching involve Sessions 4 times per week ,Intensity Stretch to the point of mild discomfort, but not pain. The goal is to feel a gentle stretch in the muscles being targeted, promoting flexibility without risking injury. Duration of Sessions: Each session should last about 30-40 minutes. Exercise Duration: Each exercise should involve 10repetitions ,Hold stretch for 10-30 sec. sets: 1-2, Rest for 1- 2 minutes between these two exercises. Types :chest opener stretch and overhead arm chest stretch | Other | Thoracic cage stretching |
| intercostal stretchingintercostal stretching involve Sessions 4 times per week ,Intensity Stretch to the point of mild discomfort, but not pain. The goal is to feel a gentle stretch in the muscles being targeted, promoting flexibility without risking injury. Duration of Sessions: Each session should last about 30-40 minutes. Exercise Duration: Each exercise should involve 10repetitions ,Hold stretch for 10-30 sec. sets: 1-2, Rest for 1- 2 minutes between these two exercises. Types :lateral side bend stretch and torso rotational stretch | Other | intercostal stretching |
Primary outcome
chest expansion
Time frame: 4 week
To measure chest expansion, we used a plastic tape measure. Stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides, ideally wearing minimal clothing. First, measure your chest at rest by wrapping the tape around the widest part, under the armpits, across the nipples and at the level of xiphoid process, ensuring it's snug but not tight. Take this measurement after a normal exhalation. Next, for maximum expansion, take a deep breath and fully expand your chest, then measure again in the same spot at full inhalation. To find your chest expansion, subtract the resting measurement from the expanded measurement. It's best to repeat the process for accuracy,
1 secondary outcome
dyspnea
Time frame: for 4 weeks
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 12 Jan 2026.
- BackgroundJahan N. Effectiveness of inter costal stretch techniques among copd patients at NIDCH: Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University …; 2017.
- BackgroundTrivedi D, Das AK. Effect of Intercostal Stretch and Breathing Control Exercise on Lung Function among Healthy Young Females.
- BackgroundKumar MB, Reddy RS. Immediate effect of intercostal stretch on chest expansion in healthy smokers. 2021.
- BackgroundYu L-J, Kim T-HJIJoHM, Sciences S. The effect of cervical stabilization exercises with thoracic spine extension exercises on forward head posture. 2021;9(5):852-7.
- Background: PubMed 30855912Safarini OA, Bordoni B. Anatomy, Thorax, Ribs. 2023 Jul 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538328/
- Background: PubMed 37949552Chand, Vaish H. Effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patients with mechanical neck pain: A single group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Oct;36:148-152. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.07.004. Epub 2023 Jul 5.
- Background: PubMed 31270909Armstrong M, Vogiatzis I. Personalized exercise training in chronic lung diseases. Respirology. 2019 Sep;24(9):854-862. doi: 10.1111/resp.13639. Epub 2019 Jul 3.
- Background: PubMed 34655640Miller RL, Grayson MH, Strothman K. Advances in asthma: New understandings of asthma's natural history, risk factors, underlying mechanisms, and clinical management. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021 Dec;148(6):1430-1441. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.10.001. Epub 2021 Oct 14.
- Background: PubMed 30289997Eguiluz-Gracia I, Tay TR, Hew M, Escribese MM, Barber D, O'Hehir RE, Torres MJ. Recent developments and highlights in biomarkers in allergic diseases and asthma. Allergy. 2018 Dec;73(12):2290-2305. doi: 10.1111/all.13628. Epub 2018 Oct 30.
- Background: PubMed 35993916Osadnik CR, Gleeson C, McDonald VM, Holland AE. Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Aug 22;8(8):CD013485. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013485.pub2.
- Background: PubMed 31678077Schoettler N, Strek ME. Recent Advances in Severe Asthma: From Phenotypes to Personalized Medicine. Chest. 2020 Mar;157(3):516-528. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.10.009. Epub 2019 Oct 31.
- Background: PubMed 32997808Cevhertas L, Ogulur I, Maurer DJ, Burla D, Ding M, Jansen K, Koch J, Liu C, Ma S, Mitamura Y, Peng Y, Radzikowska U, Rinaldi AO, Satitsuksanoa P, Globinska A, van de Veen W, Sokolowska M, Baerenfaller K, Gao YD, Agache I, Akdis M, Akdis CA. Advances and recent developments in asthma in 2020. Allergy. 2020 Dec;75(12):3124-3146. doi: 10.1111/all.14607. Epub 2020 Oct 16.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Asthma
RecruitingPhase 1
Pilot Study to Identify the Mediators and Inflammatory Cell Surface Receptors Involved in Allergic Airway Inflammation
Asthma
Recruiting
THERMotherapy Against Persistent Bacterial LUNG Infections
Lung Diseases, Obstructive, Bronchiectasis
RecruitingPhase 1
A Study to Compare the Relative Potency of Salbutamol Administered Via Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) Containing Propellants HFA-152a to HFA-134a in Mild Asthmatics Aged 18 to 65 Inclusive
Asthma, Mild Asthma
Active, not recruitingPhase 2/3
Local Antibiotic Delivery for Community Acquired Pneumonia
Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)
RecruitingPhase 2
A Study to Learn About the Study Medicine Called PF-07275315 in People With Moderate-To-Severe Asthma
Asthma
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.
Riffat Malik malik principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing thoracic cage stretching and intercostal stretching in people with Asthma and Asthma (Diagnosis), run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jan 2026. 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.
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?
chest expansion (time frame: 4 week). 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 NCT07331662, which also lists 16 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 12 Jan 2026.