Dyspnea, ParoxysmalNCT07484568
Circuit Training With and Without Upper and Lower Limb Resistance Training in Post-CABG Patients
A study testing Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance Training and Circuit Training Exercises in people with Dyspnea, Paroxysmal, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This study aims to evaluate the contrasting effects of circuit training with and without upper and lower limb resistance training on paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, functional capacity and endurance on post-CABG patients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 35 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Dyspnea, Paroxysmal
- What is being tested?
- Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance Training and Circuit Training Exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 5 Jul 2025to 20 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 35 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- • Adult CABG surgery candidates aged between 35 and 65 years who underwent uncomplicated CABG surgery within past 3-6 months.
- No history of pre-existing pulmonary disease.
- Clinically stable cardiac status and approval for participation in phase-II cardiac rehabilitation from the cardiac surgeon.
- Patients that presented with the symptoms of mild to moderate levels of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND). (38)
- Willingness and availability to participate in the phase-II cardiac rehabilitation program for the study duration.
- Physical ability to perform both upper and lower limb strength training exercise.
- Absence of pre-existing severe orthopedic limitations that could interfere with the exercise performance.
Who cannot join
- Uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias or any unstable cardiovascular complication that was an absolute contraindication to participate in clinical exercise program.
- Severe pre-existing pulmonary conditions such as COPD or Asthma that could interfere with exercise capacity.
- Severe orthopedic limitations such as arthritis, recent fractures and sternal site infections post-surgery.
- Neurological complications, including stroke, severe neuropathy, balance and coordination abnormalities that could impede physical performance.
- Cognitive impairments that may possibly affect the ability to understand and follow the exercise protocols.
- Participation in some other structured rehabilitation program within the past month.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Circuit Training With and Without Upper and Lower Limb Resistance Training on Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea, Functional Capacity and Endurance in Post-CABG Patients
This study aims to evaluate the contrasting effects of circuit training with and without upper and lower limb resistance training on paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, functional capacity and endurance on post-CABG patients.
Read the detailed description
A randomized controlled trial underlined that dynamic strength training dramatically increased peripheral muscular strength and power when combined with endurance training, which may enhance patient prognosis, according to a study done on patients with cardiovascular disease. According to the study, dynamic strength training is therefore advised as a crucial part of cardiovascular rehabilitation. The results showed that strength training was associated with lesser increases in intra-arterial blood pressure and cardiac output, indicating sufficient cardiovascular safety. All things considered, this study questions accepted therapeutic practice and reignites the discussion about the best dynamic strength training. highlighted the importance of lower limb muscle strengthening in an RCT following CABG surgery; Phase II cardiac rehab showed significant gains in lower limb strength and overall physical and cardiorespiratory performance 6 weeks following hospital discharge, as determined by the Short Physical Performance Battery and 6MWT. Although, cardiac rehabilitation following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), has been shown to increase functional capacity and quality of life. Significant gaps exist in determining the exact exercise prescription for symptom alleviation and functional recovery. Existing researches primarily focused on conventional continuous aerobic training (CAT) or the circuit-based training alone, with little attention on targeted upper and lower limb resistance training in clinical settings. Furthermore, the majority of the literature assesses the outcomes such as peak oxygen uptake (V̇O₂max), six-minute walk distance (6-MWD) or general dyspnea scores. While paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is clinically significant and unpleasant condition among post-CABG patients, is understudied. Dyspnea is usually examined using non-specific tools and techniques during rehabilitation programs but a few studies used cardiac-specific symptom classification tools in post-CABG rehabilitation. In addition, there is a lack of randomized clinical trials that investigate combined effects of circuit-resistance training in Phase-II cardiac rehabilitation on multiple domains like dyspnea severity, muscle strength, endurance and functional capacity within a single-structured rehabilitation program. Some studies include small sample sizes or shorter study durations which limit the validity of the findings and the ability to derive clinically significant conclusions. Furthermore, insufficient information is available from low and middle-income nations where patient characteristics and healthcare resources are differ from those in high-income countries. This emphasizes the importance of doing context-specific to help define evidence based cardiac rehabilitation procedures. Therefore, the current study addresses the gaps by systematically comparing the effects of circuit training with and without targeted upper and lower limb resistance training using a complete set of outcome variables.
- Conditions
- Dyspnea, Paroxysmal
- Being tested
- Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance Training, Circuit Training Exercises
- Keywords
- Post-CABG, PND, Circuit Training, Resistance Training, Cardiac Rehabilitaion
- Medical subject headings
- Dyspnea, Paroxysmal
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance TrainingOther
A series of exercises in a circuit format, with 1 minute of exercise followed by 30 seconds of rest. The circuit was repeated 2-3 times, with a 2-minute break between circuits along with upper and lower limb Resistance exercises (30-40% of 1-RM) using weights and therapeutic bands
Circuit Training ExercisesOther
A series of exercises in a circuit format, with 1 minute of exercise followed by 30 seconds of rest. The circuit was repeated 2-3 times, with a 2-minute break between circuits.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance Training | Experimental | A series of exercises in a circuit format with Resistance Training: for upper and lower limbs (30-40% of 1-RM) Receives: Other: Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance Training |
| Group B: Circuit Training only | Experimental | Exercises in circuit format (30-40 minutes) Receives: Other: Circuit Training Exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC)
The mMRC Dyspnea Scale is a validated tool to assess the severity of dyspnea among the patients with pulmonary complications. This scale was utilized to quantify the symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea among the participants in the study, offering an insight to the effectiveness of exercise interventions on the respiratory symptoms
Measured: First day
1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM)
1-RM is a useful tool in the studies in the studies evaluating the effectiveness of strength training such as those addressing upper and lower limb resistance training. This test specifies the maximum weight that a subject can lift in a single repetition, providing a precise, quantitative baseline evaluation of dynamic strength. It can be used as a solid baseline for tracking and comparing strength changes during intervention. Thus, 1-RM is a practical and objective tool in rehabilitation research. It allows the researchers to analyze the effectiveness of certain treatments and monitor functional changes over the course of treatment or regimen.
Measured: First day
Modified Borg Scale (BORG CR-10):
Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale is a highly validated subjective tool, to assess rate of perceived exertion during exercise to monitor exercise intensity and tailor to individual patient in cardiac rehabilitation settings. It is safe and cost-effective. It has a rating of 0-10 with zero representing (no breathlessness) and 10 (maximal exertion). It is a subjective measure of how hard the body is pushing against exertion during exercise. Specially designed for the assessment of cardiac endurance
Measured: First day
6-Minute Walk Test 6-MWT:
It is a reliable tool for assessing functional capacity among the patient population that present with underlying cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. We used this tool in the assessment of functional capacity among the patients that participated in the study. This test specifically measures the distance covered in 6 minutes. In this test the participant walks along a flat straight pathway (usually 30-meter indoor corridors) in six minutes at their own pace. The maximum distance covered in 6 minutes documented the functional capacity among the participants under study.
Measured: First day
Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT)
Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) is a highly reliable and valid tool for the assessment of cardiac endurance as a distinct outcome separately from overall functional capacity. It measures cardiac endurance under progressively increasing workloads within the safe limits. We used this tool to assess the cardiopulmonary endurance and baseline functional status in CABG population and to measure the improvements post-intervention outcomes. The test is safe, cost-effective and convenient to implement in all the clinical settings requiring little equipment and simultaneously assesses physiological responses such as heart-rate HR, oxygen saturation SPO2, and blood pressure in accordance with the subjective effort.
Measured: First day
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Mar 2026
- Study start5 Jul 2025
- Primary completion20 Aug 2025
- Study completion20 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Dyspnea, ParoxysmalStudies 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Qurat ul Ain, MS, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484568
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- S24C14G36005 Aaima
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- 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 20 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Circuit Training With and Without Upper and Lower Limb Resistance Training on Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea, Functional Capacity and Endurance in Post-CABG Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484568
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- S24C14G36005 Aaima
- Conditions
- Dyspnea, Paroxysmal
- Keywords
- Post-CABG, PND, Circuit Training, Resistance Training, Cardiac Rehabilitaion
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 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.
This study aims to evaluate the contrasting effects of circuit training with and without upper and lower limb resistance training on paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, functional capacity and endurance on post-CABG patients.
Detailed description
A randomized controlled trial underlined that dynamic strength training dramatically increased peripheral muscular strength and power when combined with endurance training, which may enhance patient prognosis, according to a study done on patients with cardiovascular disease. According to the study, dynamic strength training is therefore advised as a crucial part of cardiovascular rehabilitation. The results showed that strength training was associated with lesser increases in intra-arterial blood pressure and cardiac output, indicating sufficient cardiovascular safety. All things considered, this study questions accepted therapeutic practice and reignites the discussion about the best dynamic strength training. highlighted the importance of lower limb muscle strengthening in an RCT following CABG surgery; Phase II cardiac rehab showed significant gains in lower limb strength and overall physical and cardiorespiratory performance 6 weeks following hospital discharge, as determined by the Short Physical Performance Battery and 6MWT. Although, cardiac rehabilitation following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), has been shown to increase functional capacity and quality of life. Significant gaps exist in determining the exact exercise prescription for symptom alleviation and functional recovery. Existing researches primarily focused on conventional continuous aerobic training (CAT) or the circuit-based training alone, with little attention on targeted upper and lower limb resistance training in clinical settings. Furthermore, the majority of the literature assesses the outcomes such as peak oxygen uptake (V̇O₂max), six-minute walk distance (6-MWD) or general dyspnea scores. While paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is clinically significant and unpleasant condition among post-CABG patients, is understudied. Dyspnea is usually examined using non-specific tools and techniques during rehabilitation programs but a few studies used cardiac-specific symptom classification tools in post-CABG rehabilitation. In addition, there is a lack of randomized clinical trials that investigate combined effects of circuit-resistance training in Phase-II cardiac rehabilitation on multiple domains like dyspnea severity, muscle strength, endurance and functional capacity within a single-structured rehabilitation program. Some studies include small sample sizes or shorter study durations which limit the validity of the findings and the ability to derive clinically significant conclusions. Furthermore, insufficient information is available from low and middle-income nations where patient characteristics and healthcare resources are differ from those in high-income countries. This emphasizes the importance of doing context-specific to help define evidence based cardiac rehabilitation procedures. Therefore, the current study addresses the gaps by systematically comparing the effects of circuit training with and without targeted upper and lower limb resistance training using a complete set of outcome variables.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance Training | Experimental | Other: Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance TrainingA series of exercises in a circuit format with Resistance Training: for upper and lower limbs (30-40% of 1-RM) |
| Group B: Circuit Training only | Experimental | Other: Circuit Training ExercisesExercises in circuit format (30-40 minutes) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 35 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- • Adult CABG surgery candidates aged between 35 and 65 years who underwent uncomplicated CABG surgery within past 3-6 months.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias or any unstable cardiovascular complication that was an absolute contraindication to participate in clinical exercise program.
- Severe pre-existing pulmonary conditions such as COPD or Asthma that could interfere with exercise capacity.
- Severe orthopedic limitations such as arthritis, recent fractures and sternal site infections post-surgery.
- Neurological complications, including stroke, severe neuropathy, balance and coordination abnormalities that could impede physical performance.
- Cognitive impairments that may possibly affect the ability to understand and follow the exercise protocols.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance TrainingA series of exercises in a circuit format, with 1 minute of exercise followed by 30 seconds of rest. The circuit was repeated 2-3 times, with a 2-minute break between circuits along with upper and lower limb Resistance exercises (30-40% of 1-RM) using weights and therapeutic bands | Other | Group A: Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance Training |
| Circuit Training ExercisesA series of exercises in a circuit format, with 1 minute of exercise followed by 30 seconds of rest. The circuit was repeated 2-3 times, with a 2-minute break between circuits. | Other | Group B: Circuit Training only |
Primary outcome
Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC)
Time frame: First day
The mMRC Dyspnea Scale is a validated tool to assess the severity of dyspnea among the patients with pulmonary complications. This scale was utilized to quantify the symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea among the participants in the study, offering an insight to the effectiveness of exercise interventions on the respiratory symptoms
1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM)
Time frame: First day
1-RM is a useful tool in the studies in the studies evaluating the effectiveness of strength training such as those addressing upper and lower limb resistance training. This test specifies the maximum weight that a subject can lift in a single repetition, providing a precise, quantitative baseline evaluation of dynamic strength. It can be used as a solid baseline for tracking and comparing strength changes during intervention. Thus, 1-RM is a practical and objective tool in rehabilitation research. It allows the researchers to analyze the effectiveness of certain treatments and monitor functional changes over the course of treatment or regimen.
Modified Borg Scale (BORG CR-10):
Time frame: First day
Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale is a highly validated subjective tool, to assess rate of perceived exertion during exercise to monitor exercise intensity and tailor to individual patient in cardiac rehabilitation settings. It is safe and cost-effective. It has a rating of 0-10 with zero representing (no breathlessness) and 10 (maximal exertion). It is a subjective measure of how hard the body is pushing against exertion during exercise. Specially designed for the assessment of cardiac endurance
6-Minute Walk Test 6-MWT:
Time frame: First day
It is a reliable tool for assessing functional capacity among the patient population that present with underlying cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. We used this tool in the assessment of functional capacity among the patients that participated in the study. This test specifically measures the distance covered in 6 minutes. In this test the participant walks along a flat straight pathway (usually 30-meter indoor corridors) in six minutes at their own pace. The maximum distance covered in 6 minutes documented the functional capacity among the participants under study.
Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT)
Time frame: First day
Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) is a highly reliable and valid tool for the assessment of cardiac endurance as a distinct outcome separately from overall functional capacity. It measures cardiac endurance under progressively increasing workloads within the safe limits. We used this tool to assess the cardiopulmonary endurance and baseline functional status in CABG population and to measure the improvements post-intervention outcomes. The test is safe, cost-effective and convenient to implement in all the clinical settings requiring little equipment and simultaneously assesses physiological responses such as heart-rate HR, oxygen saturation SPO2, and blood pressure in accordance with the subjective effort.
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 20 Mar 2026.
- Effects of resistance exercise applied early after coronary artery bypass grafting: a randomized controlled trialLink provided by the sponsor.
- Improvement in cardiac dysfunction with a novel circuit training method combining simultaneous aerobic-resistance exercises. A randomized trialLink provided by the sponsor.
- Causes of dyspnea after cardiac surgeryLink provided by the sponsor.
- 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.
Qurat ul Ain, MS 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 Circuit Training with upper and lower limb Resistance Training and Circuit Training Exercises in people with Dyspnea, Paroxysmal, 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.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 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 20 Mar 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?
Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) (time frame: First day). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. 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 20 Mar 2026.