Respiration DisorderWIND-KIDSNCT07477535
Thoracic Mobility, Posture, Functional Capacity, and Respiratory Rate in Children Playing Wind Instruments
An observational study of Respiration Disorder and Posture, run by Yeditepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate thoracic mobility, posture, functional capacity, and respiratory rate in children aged 8-14 years who play wind instruments and to compare these findings with those of their peers who do not play wind instruments. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 8 to 14 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Respiration Disorder, Posture, Functional Capacity
- How many people
- 102 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 17 Apr 2026to 31 May 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- 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 8 to 14 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Study population: This study is planned to include healthy children aged 8-14 years who attend primary and middle school and either play or do not play wind instruments. Healthy volunteer children aged 8-14 years from schools in Tekirdağ, who either play wind instruments or do not play wind instruments (e.g., those playing string instruments) as part of compulsory music education, will be recruited. Participants will be divided into two groups: those who play wind instruments and those who do not. The musician group will consist of healthy children aged 8-14 years who have been regularly playing the flute or melodica for at least one year, whereas the control group will comprise age-matched children who do not play any wind instruments.
Who may be able to join
- Aged 8-14 years and enrolled in primary or middle school
- Having regularly played the flute or melodica for at least one year (≥2 days/week, ≥20 minutes/day)
- For the control group, no prior experience with wind instruments during the previous year
- Absence of any diagnosed cardiopulmonary, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions
- Giving written parent informed consent
Who cannot join
- History of an acute respiratory tract infection within the past week
- A diagnosis or history of allergic asthma or other chronic respiratory disease
- Presence of chest wall abnormalities (e.g., barrel chest)
- A diagnosed scoliosis deformity
- A diagnosis or history of developmental delay or neuromotor disorders
- Any cognitive or communication impairment that could interfere with participation in the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Thoracic Mobility, Posture, Functional Capacity, and Respiratory Rate in Children Playing Wind Instruments: A Comparison With Non-Playing Peers
The aim of this study is to evaluate thoracic mobility, posture, functional capacity, and respiratory rate in children aged 8-14 years who play wind instruments and to compare these findings with those of their peers who do not play wind instruments. In line with this primary objective, the study seeks to comprehensively investigate the potential biomechanical and physiological adaptations associated with playing wind instruments in the context of childhood music education, with a particular focus on chest wall mobility, postural alignment, respiratory efficiency, and functional capacity.
The novelty of this study lies in being the first to adopt a holistic perspective to examine the effects of wind instrument playing on the postural and cardiorespiratory systems during the sensitive developmental period of 8-14 years, which is known to be highly responsive to biomechanical adaptations. By addressing this understudied age group, the study aims to fill an important gap in the existing literature.
- Conditions
- Respiration Disorder, Posture, Functional Capacity, Music, Child
- Keywords
- child, posture, music
- Medical subject headings
- Respiration Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Instrument Group (WIG) | This study includes healthy children aged 8-14 years who are in primary and middle school and play wind instruments. Healthy children aged 8-14 years who have regularly played the flute or melodica for at least one year (Musician Group). | |
| Non-Wind Instrument Group (NWIG) | The control group will consist of age-matched children who do not play any wind instruments. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Thoracic Mobility Assessment
Thoracic mobility will be assessed using chest circumference measurements obtained with a tape measure. Children will be instructed to perform maximal inspiration and maximal expiration while in a seated position. Measurements will be taken at the axillary, epigastric, and subcostal levels. Each measurement will be repeated three times, and the mean value will be recorded. Thoracic expansion will be calculated as the difference between inspiratory and expiratory chest circumferences.
This method has been described as a reliable and clinically feasible approach for evaluating thoracic mobility in children. Cruz-Montecinos et al. reported high inter-rater reliability for chest circumference measurements obtained with a tape measure in pediatric populations. Similarly, Sharma and Parashar demonstrated that thoracic expansion measurements in school-aged children show high reproducibility and can provide reference values for healthy children.
Measured: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Postural Assessment
Postural analysis in this study will be performed using the New York Posture Rating Scale.This assessment method divides the body into thirteen distinct regions according to anatomical alignment, allowing posture to be evaluated in both the anterior (frontal) and lateral (sagittal) planes. Each body region is scored using a five-point Likert scale. Accordingly, a score of one indicates marked postural impairment (severe deviation), three represents moderate posture, and five indicates ideal postural alignment.
The total score ranges from 13 to 65, with higher scores reflecting better postural alignment. Based on the overall score, posture quality is categorized according to standardized criteria: scores of 45 or above are classified as "very good," 40-44 as "good," 30-39 as "moderate," 20-29 as "poor," and 19 or below as "very poor."
Measured: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.
Functional Capacity Assessment
Functiona capacity will be evaluated using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). The test will be conducted in a 30-meter flat corridor in accordance with the standardized protocol established by the American Thoracic Society. Participants will be instructed to walk as fast as possible at their own pace for six minutes. Before the test, children will be informed that they may rest if they experience excessive shortness of breath, and that any resting time will be included within the total test duration.
Heart rate and oxygen saturation will be measured and recorded using a finger pulse oximeter before and immediately after the test. To encourage and motivate participants, the standardized phrase "You are doing very well" will be given every minute during the test. At the end of the test, the total distance walked in six minutes will be calculated and recorded in meters.
The feasibility, reliability, and reference values of the 6MWT in children have been well documented.
Measured: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.
Respiratory Rate Assessment
Respiratory rate will be assessed by observation while participants are in a resting position and in a quiet environment. During the measurement, children will be instructed not to speak and to breathe normally. The number of respirations per minute will be recorded by observing chest wall movements over a one-minute period. The measurement will be repeated twice, and the mean value will be used for analysis.
The observational counting method has been described as one of the most commonly used, simple, and reliable techniques for assessing respiratory rate in clinical settings. Beck et al. reported high measurement reliability of this method in pediatric populations. Furthermore, Rusconi et al. emphasized that establishing age-specific reference values for respiratory rate contributes to the standardization of clinical assessments. Therefore, the observational counting method was preferred for the evaluation of respiratory rate in the present study
Measured: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Mar 2026
- Study start17 Apr 2026
- Primary completion15 May 2026
- Study completion31 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (11)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Respiration DisorderStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 102 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Yeditepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Aslı Yeral, Principal investigator, Yeditepe University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07477535
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- yeditepe2026
- Acronym
- WIND-KIDS
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Participants' data will be used for scientific study and will not be shared with third parties and organizations.
Publications
Rusconi F, Castagneto M, Gagliardi L, Leo G, Pellegatta A, Porta N, Razon S, Braga M. Reference values for respiratory rate in the first 3 years of life. Pediatrics. 1994 Sep;94(3):350-5.
PubMed 806586210. Rajakumari, D. L., & Alagesan, S. (2012). Survey of posture using New York postural rating scale-Impact of corrective and aerobic exercise on posture and physiological variables. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 1(10), 151-160.
Li AM, Yin J, Au JT, So HK, Tsang T, Wong E, Fok TF, Ng PC. Standard reference for the six-minute-walk test in healthy children aged 7 to 16 years. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007 Jul 15;176(2):174-80. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200607-883OC. Epub 2007 Apr 26.
PubMed 174634198. Hatziagorou, E., Kousta, A., Hristara-Papadopoulou, A., et al. (2018). Pulmonary function in young wind instrument players. European Respiratory Journal, 52(Suppl 62), PA4575.
Giontella A, Tagetti A, Bonafini S, Marcon D, Cattazzo F, Bresadola I, Antoniazzi F, Gaudino R, Cavarzere P, Montagnana M, Pietrobelli A, Maffeis C, Minuz P, Fava C. Comparison of Performance in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) between Overweight/Obese and Normal-Weight Children and Association with Haemodynamic Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study in Four Primary Schools. Nutrients. 2024 Jan 25;16(3):356. doi: 10.3390/nu16030356.
PubMed 383376416. Cruz-Montecinos, C., Mandiola, E., & Soto, J. (2017). Reliability of chest wall expansion measurements in children using a measuring tape method. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 29(2), 120-126.
Kim BS, Kim H, Kim JY. Effects of a choral program combining wind instrument performance and breathing training on respiratory function, stress, and quality of life in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2024 May 7;19(5):e0276568. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276568. eCollection 2024.
PubMed 387137364. Beynon, C., Holman, S., & McKenzie, M. (2020). Postural demands of playing musical instruments in childhood and adolescence: A systematic review. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 36(10), 1073-1085
3. Beck, J. R., Sethi, J. M., & Tanner, J. L. (2016). Reliability of respiratory rate measurement in children by visual observation. Pediatric Pulmonology, 51(9), 915-920.
2. Antoniadou, M., Michaelidis, V., & Tsara, V. (2012). Lung function in wind instrument players. Pneumon, 25(2), 180-183.
ATS Committee on Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories. ATS statement: guidelines for the six-minute walk test. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002 Jul 1;166(1):111-7. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.166.1.at1102. No abstract available.
PubMed 12091180
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Thoracic Mobility, Posture, Functional Capacity, and Respiratory Rate in Children Playing Wind Instruments: A Comparison With Non-Playing Peers
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07477535
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- WIND-KIDS / yeditepe2026
- Conditions
- Respiration Disorder, Posture, Functional Capacity, Music, Child
- Keywords
- child, posture, music
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 102 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Yeditepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Mar 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 aim of this study is to evaluate thoracic mobility, posture, functional capacity, and respiratory rate in children aged 8-14 years who play wind instruments and to compare these findings with those of their peers who do not play wind instruments. In line with this primary objective, the study seeks to comprehensively investigate the potential biomechanical and physiological adaptations associated with playing wind instruments in the context of childhood music education, with a particular focus on chest wall mobility, postural alignment, respiratory efficiency, and functional capacity.
The novelty of this study lies in being the first to adopt a holistic perspective to examine the effects of wind instrument playing on the postural and cardiorespiratory systems during the sensitive developmental period of 8-14 years, which is known to be highly responsive to biomechanical adaptations. By addressing this understudied age group, the study aims to fill an important gap in the existing literature.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Instrument Group (WIG) | – | –This study includes healthy children aged 8-14 years who are in primary and middle school and play wind instruments. Healthy children aged 8-14 years who have regularly played the flute or melodica for at least one year (Musician Group). |
| Non-Wind Instrument Group (NWIG) | – | –The control group will consist of age-matched children who do not play any wind instruments. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 8 to 14 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
- Study population
- This study is planned to include healthy children aged 8-14 years who attend primary and middle school and either play or do not play wind instruments. Healthy volunteer children aged 8-14 years from schools in Tekirdağ, who either play wind instruments or do not play wind instruments (e.g., those playing string instruments) as part of compulsory music education, will be recruited. Participants will be divided into two groups: those who play wind instruments and those who do not. The musician group will consist of healthy children aged 8-14 years who have been regularly playing the flute or melodica for at least one year, whereas the control group will comprise age-matched children who do not play any wind instruments.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Aged 8-14 years and enrolled in primary or middle school
- Having regularly played the flute or melodica for at least one year (≥2 days/week, ≥20 minutes/day)
- For the control group, no prior experience with wind instruments during the previous year
- Absence of any diagnosed cardiopulmonary, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions
- Giving written parent informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- History of an acute respiratory tract infection within the past week
- A diagnosis or history of allergic asthma or other chronic respiratory disease
- Presence of chest wall abnormalities (e.g., barrel chest)
- A diagnosed scoliosis deformity
- A diagnosis or history of developmental delay or neuromotor disorders
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Thoracic Mobility Assessment
Time frame: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.
Thoracic mobility will be assessed using chest circumference measurements obtained with a tape measure. Children will be instructed to perform maximal inspiration and maximal expiration while in a seated position. Measurements will be taken at the axillary, epigastric, and subcostal levels. Each measurement will be repeated three times, and the mean value will be recorded. Thoracic expansion will be calculated as the difference between inspiratory and expiratory chest circumferences. This method has been described as a reliable and clinically feasible approach for evaluating thoracic mobility in children. Cruz-Montecinos et al. reported high inter-rater reliability for chest circumference measurements obtained with a tape measure in pediatric populations. Similarly, Sharma and Parashar demonstrated that thoracic expansion measurements in school-aged children show high reproducibility and can provide reference values for healthy children.
3 secondary outcomes
Postural Assessment
Time frame: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.
Functional Capacity Assessment
Time frame: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.
Respiratory Rate Assessment
Time frame: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.
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 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 8065862Rusconi F, Castagneto M, Gagliardi L, Leo G, Pellegatta A, Porta N, Razon S, Braga M. Reference values for respiratory rate in the first 3 years of life. Pediatrics. 1994 Sep;94(3):350-5.
- Background10. Rajakumari, D. L., & Alagesan, S. (2012). Survey of posture using New York postural rating scale-Impact of corrective and aerobic exercise on posture and physiological variables. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 1(10), 151-160.
- Background: PubMed 17463419Li AM, Yin J, Au JT, So HK, Tsang T, Wong E, Fok TF, Ng PC. Standard reference for the six-minute-walk test in healthy children aged 7 to 16 years. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007 Jul 15;176(2):174-80. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200607-883OC. Epub 2007 Apr 26.
- Background8. Hatziagorou, E., Kousta, A., Hristara-Papadopoulou, A., et al. (2018). Pulmonary function in young wind instrument players. European Respiratory Journal, 52(Suppl 62), PA4575.
- Background: PubMed 38337641Giontella A, Tagetti A, Bonafini S, Marcon D, Cattazzo F, Bresadola I, Antoniazzi F, Gaudino R, Cavarzere P, Montagnana M, Pietrobelli A, Maffeis C, Minuz P, Fava C. Comparison of Performance in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) between Overweight/Obese and Normal-Weight Children and Association with Haemodynamic Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study in Four Primary Schools. Nutrients. 2024 Jan 25;16(3):356. doi: 10.3390/nu16030356.
- Background6. Cruz-Montecinos, C., Mandiola, E., & Soto, J. (2017). Reliability of chest wall expansion measurements in children using a measuring tape method. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 29(2), 120-126.
- Background: PubMed 38713736Kim BS, Kim H, Kim JY. Effects of a choral program combining wind instrument performance and breathing training on respiratory function, stress, and quality of life in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2024 May 7;19(5):e0276568. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276568. eCollection 2024.
- Background4. Beynon, C., Holman, S., & McKenzie, M. (2020). Postural demands of playing musical instruments in childhood and adolescence: A systematic review. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 36(10), 1073-1085
- Background3. Beck, J. R., Sethi, J. M., & Tanner, J. L. (2016). Reliability of respiratory rate measurement in children by visual observation. Pediatric Pulmonology, 51(9), 915-920.
- Background2. Antoniadou, M., Michaelidis, V., & Tsara, V. (2012). Lung function in wind instrument players. Pneumon, 25(2), 180-183.
- Results publication: PubMed 12091180ATS Committee on Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories. ATS statement: guidelines for the six-minute walk test. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002 Jul 1;166(1):111-7. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.166.1.at1102. No abstract available.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Participants' data will be used for scientific study and will not be shared with third parties and organizations.
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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.
Aslı Yeral principal investigator
Yeditepe University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Respiration Disorder and Posture, run by Yeditepe 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 5 inclusion and 6 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 Jun 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 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. 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?
Thoracic Mobility Assessment (time frame: Both groups will be assessed once. There will be no intervention. All participants' measurements will be completed by May 2026.). 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 NCT07477535, which also lists 11 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 23 Jun 2026.