StrokeNCT07577076
Air Stacking-Assisted Diaphragmatic Breathing in Stroke
A study testing Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathing and diaphragmatic breathing in people with Stroke and Hemiplegia, run by jang ji-hun at 1 site in South Korea.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a diaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique can improve respiratory function and trunk control in patients with stroke. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Stroke, Hemiplegia
- What is being tested?
- Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathing and diaphragmatic breathing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSouth Korea
- Study dates
- 25 Sep 2025to 21 Feb 2026
- 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 19 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Inpatients diagnosed with stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction) at a general hospital in Daegu, currently receiving physical therapy
- Onset of stroke at least 3 months prior to enrollment
- Spasticity grade of 2 or less on the Modified Ashworth Scale
- No congenital deformity or fracture of the thorax or other orthopedic conditions affecting the chest wall
- No history of pulmonary disease before or after the stroke
- Able to perform respiratory exercises as instructed
- Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean version (MMSE-K) score of 24 or higher, indicating sufficient cognitive ability to understand the study procedures
- Presence of decreased pulmonary function (reduced pulmonary function test parameters) at baseline
Who cannot join
- Acute stroke status or onset of stroke less than 3 months prior to enrollment
- Severe cardiovascular or respiratory disease that makes participation in respiratory exercise unsafe or impossible
- Cognitive impairment or communication disorder that prevents understanding or performing the study procedures
- Any other medical or safety condition judged by the investigator to make participation in the study inappropriate
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Using the Air Stacking Technique on Respiratory and Trunk Function in Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a diaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique can improve respiratory function and trunk control in patients with stroke. The experimental group will perform an air stacking-based diaphragmatic breathing exercise using an Ambu-bag, combined with neurodevelopmental treatment, three times per week for 20 minutes over a 4-week period. The control group will receive therapist-guided diaphragmatic breathing exercises with the same frequency and duration, together with the same neurodevelopmental treatment. All participants will be assessed before and after the intervention for pulmonary function, chest wall expansion, and trunk control ability, as well as the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS), the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSTS), and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (Borg RPE). Changes between the two groups will be compared to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of the air stacking technique.
Read the detailed description
This clinical trial is a randomized controlled study designed to evaluate the effects of a diaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique on respiratory and trunk function in patients with stroke. Patients with stroke are prone to respiratory muscle weakness, reduced chest wall expansion, and impaired trunk control, which can limit functional recovery and increase the risk of pulmonary complications. The air stacking technique increases lung volume and chest expansion through consecutive inspirations without exhalation and is known to facilitate more effective breathing and coughing, but its therapeutic effects in patients with stroke have not yet been fully established.
In this study, 20 patients with stroke will be randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10), using blocked randomization to ensure balance between groups. To enhance the objectivity of outcome assessment, all evaluations will be performed by an assessor who is blinded to group allocation. The experimental group will perform an air stacking-based diaphragmatic breathing exercise using an Ambu-bag, three times per week for 20 minutes over a 4-week period, in addition to neurodevelopmental treatment. The control group will receive therapist-guided diaphragmatic breathing exercises with the same frequency and duration, combined with the same neurodevelopmental treatment program. Both groups will receive the interventions for 4 weeks in the same rehabilitation setting.
All participants will undergo assessments before the start of the intervention and after completion of the 4-week program. Outcome measures will include pulmonary function tests (for example, FVC and FEV1), chest wall expansion, and trunk control ability. In addition, trunk function and functional mobility will be evaluated using the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS) and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSTS), and perceived exertion during exercise will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (Borg RPE). Pre- to post-intervention changes will be calculated for each participant, and differences in these changes between the experimental and control groups will be analyzed.
The aim of this study is to determine whether a diaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique provides additional benefits over conventional diaphragmatic breathing in improving pulmonary function, chest wall expansion, trunk control, and functional performance in patients with stroke. The findings are expected to demonstrate the therapeutic potential and clinical feasibility of an Ambu-bag-assisted air stacking technique and to contribute to the development of more effective respiratory and trunk rehabilitation strategies for individuals with stroke.
- Conditions
- Stroke, Hemiplegia
- Being tested
- Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathing, diaphragmatic breathing
- Keywords
- Stroke, Hemiplegia, Respiratory rehabilitation, Diaphragmatic breathing, Air stacking, Ambu-bag, Pulmonary function, Trunk Impairment Scale
- Medical subject headings
- Stroke, Hemiplegia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathingBehavioural
Diaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique with an Ambu-bag, performed three times per week for 20 minutes over 4 weeks, in addition to routine neurodevelopmental treatment.
diaphragmatic breathingBehavioural
diaphragmatic breathing exercise performed three times per week for 20 minutes over 4 weeks, together with the same neurodevelopmental treatment as the experimental group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathing | Experimental | articipants in this arm will receive diaphragmatic breathing exercises using the air stacking technique with an Ambu-bag three times per week for 20 minutes over 4 weeks, in addition to routine neurodevelopmental treatment. Receives: Behavioral: Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathing |
| diaphragmatic breathing | Active comparator | Participants in this arm will receive diaphragmatic breathing exercises three times per week for 20 minutes over 4 weeks, together with the same neurodevelopmental treatment as the experimental group. Receives: Behavioral: diaphragmatic breathing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Forced vital capacity (FVC) will be assessed using spirometry at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The outcome measure is the change in FVC from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1)
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) will be assessed using spirometry at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The outcome measure is the change in FEV1 from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Change in FEV1/FVC ratio
The ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) will be assessed using spirometry at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The outcome measure is the change in FEV1/FVC from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Change in Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) will be assessed using spirometry at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The outcome measure is the change in PEF from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Trunk Function (Korean Version of the Trunk Impairment Scale, K-TIS)
Trunk function will be assessed using the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS) at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The K-TIS is a clinical scale ranging from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating better trunk function. The outcome measure is the change in K-TIS total score from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Change in Functional Lower Extremity Performance (Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, FTSTS)
Functional lower extremity performance will be assessed using the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSTS) at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The FTSTS records the time in seconds required to complete five repetitions of rising from and returning to a seated position. Higher times indicate poorer functional performance. The outcome measure is the change in FTSTS completion time from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Change in Perceived Exertion (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale)
Perceived exertion during breathing exercises will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The Borg scale ranges from 6 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater perceived exertion. The outcome measure is the change in Borg scale score from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 May 2026
- Study start25 Sep 2025
- Primary completion21 Feb 2026
- Study completion21 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for StrokeStudies 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
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- jang ji-hun
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, jang ji-hun, Daegu University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07577076
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-05-001
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 11 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Using the Air Stacking Technique on Respiratory and Trunk Function in Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07577076
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025-05-001
- Conditions
- Stroke, Hemiplegia
- Keywords
- Stroke, Hemiplegia, Respiratory rehabilitation, Diaphragmatic breathing, Air stacking, Ambu-bag, Pulmonary function, Trunk Impairment Scale
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- jang ji-hunUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 21 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 21 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 May 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 purpose of this study is to investigate whether a diaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique can improve respiratory function and trunk control in patients with stroke. The experimental group will perform an air stacking-based diaphragmatic breathing exercise using an Ambu-bag, combined with neurodevelopmental treatment, three times per week for 20 minutes over a 4-week period. The control group will receive therapist-guided diaphragmatic breathing exercises with the same frequency and duration, together with the same neurodevelopmental treatment. All participants will be assessed before and after the intervention for pulmonary function, chest wall expansion, and trunk control ability, as well as the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS), the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSTS), and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (Borg RPE). Changes between the two groups will be compared to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of the air stacking technique.
Detailed description
This clinical trial is a randomized controlled study designed to evaluate the effects of a diaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique on respiratory and trunk function in patients with stroke. Patients with stroke are prone to respiratory muscle weakness, reduced chest wall expansion, and impaired trunk control, which can limit functional recovery and increase the risk of pulmonary complications. The air stacking technique increases lung volume and chest expansion through consecutive inspirations without exhalation and is known to facilitate more effective breathing and coughing, but its therapeutic effects in patients with stroke have not yet been fully established.
In this study, 20 patients with stroke will be randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10), using blocked randomization to ensure balance between groups. To enhance the objectivity of outcome assessment, all evaluations will be performed by an assessor who is blinded to group allocation. The experimental group will perform an air stacking-based diaphragmatic breathing exercise using an Ambu-bag, three times per week for 20 minutes over a 4-week period, in addition to neurodevelopmental treatment. The control group will receive therapist-guided diaphragmatic breathing exercises with the same frequency and duration, combined with the same neurodevelopmental treatment program. Both groups will receive the interventions for 4 weeks in the same rehabilitation setting.
All participants will undergo assessments before the start of the intervention and after completion of the 4-week program. Outcome measures will include pulmonary function tests (for example, FVC and FEV1), chest wall expansion, and trunk control ability. In addition, trunk function and functional mobility will be evaluated using the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS) and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSTS), and perceived exertion during exercise will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (Borg RPE). Pre- to post-intervention changes will be calculated for each participant, and differences in these changes between the experimental and control groups will be analyzed.
The aim of this study is to determine whether a diaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique provides additional benefits over conventional diaphragmatic breathing in improving pulmonary function, chest wall expansion, trunk control, and functional performance in patients with stroke. The findings are expected to demonstrate the therapeutic potential and clinical feasibility of an Ambu-bag-assisted air stacking technique and to contribute to the development of more effective respiratory and trunk rehabilitation strategies for individuals with stroke.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathing | Experimental | Behavioral: Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathingarticipants in this arm will receive diaphragmatic breathing exercises using the air stacking technique with an Ambu-bag three times per week for 20 minutes over 4 weeks, in addition to routine neurodevelopmental treatment. |
| diaphragmatic breathing | Active comparator | Behavioral: diaphragmatic breathingParticipants in this arm will receive diaphragmatic breathing exercises three times per week for 20 minutes over 4 weeks, together with the same neurodevelopmental treatment as the experimental group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Inpatients diagnosed with stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction) at a general hospital in Daegu, currently receiving physical therapy
- Onset of stroke at least 3 months prior to enrollment
- Spasticity grade of 2 or less on the Modified Ashworth Scale
- No congenital deformity or fracture of the thorax or other orthopedic conditions affecting the chest wall
- No history of pulmonary disease before or after the stroke
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Acute stroke status or onset of stroke less than 3 months prior to enrollment
- Severe cardiovascular or respiratory disease that makes participation in respiratory exercise unsafe or impossible
- Cognitive impairment or communication disorder that prevents understanding or performing the study procedures
- Any other medical or safety condition judged by the investigator to make participation in the study inappropriate
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathingDiaphragmatic breathing exercise using the air stacking technique with an Ambu-bag, performed three times per week for 20 minutes over 4 weeks, in addition to routine neurodevelopmental treatment. | Behavioural | Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathing |
| diaphragmatic breathingdiaphragmatic breathing exercise performed three times per week for 20 minutes over 4 weeks, together with the same neurodevelopmental treatment as the experimental group. | Behavioural | diaphragmatic breathing |
Primary outcome
Change in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Forced vital capacity (FVC) will be assessed using spirometry at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The outcome measure is the change in FVC from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) will be assessed using spirometry at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The outcome measure is the change in FEV1 from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Change in FEV1/FVC ratio
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
The ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) will be assessed using spirometry at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The outcome measure is the change in FEV1/FVC from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
Change in Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) will be assessed using spirometry at baseline and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. The outcome measure is the change in PEF from baseline to 4 weeks in each group.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in Trunk Function (Korean Version of the Trunk Impairment Scale, K-TIS)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Change in Functional Lower Extremity Performance (Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, FTSTS)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
Change in Perceived Exertion (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention
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 11 May 2026.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Air stacking-assisted diaphragmatic breathing and diaphragmatic breathing in people with Stroke and Hemiplegia, run by jang ji-hun at 1 site in South Korea.
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 8 inclusion and 4 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 11 May 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 South Korea. 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?
Change in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the start of intervention). The study lists 4 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 11 May 2026.