Thoracic SurgeryNCT07619716
ACBT With Incentive Spirometry Versus High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation After Thoracic Surgery
A study testing Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques with Incentive Spirometry and High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation in people with Thoracic Surgery, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques combined with Incentive Spirometry (ACBT + IS) versus High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Thoracic Surgery
- What is being tested?
- Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques with Incentive Spirometry and High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- Jun 2026to 29 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18-40 years
- Patients scheduled for elective thoracic surgery (e.g., lobectomy, pneumonectomy, thoracotomy, or VATS)
- Hemodynamically stable in the postoperative period
- Cognitively and physically able to perform breathing exercises and use devices (incentive spirometer/HFCWO vest)
- Willing to participate and provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Pre-existing severe pulmonary diseases (e.g., COPD, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis)
- Contraindications to HFCWO (e.g., recent rib fractures, chest wall trauma, unstable cardiovascular status)
- Cognitive, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal impairments limiting participation in interventions
- Prolonged mechanical ventilation (>24 hours postoperatively)
- Active pulmonary infection or hemoptysis within one week after surgery
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site
Gulab Devi Hospital or General Hospital Lahore.
Lahore, Punjab Province, 40100
Arjumand Bano, MS-CPPT, 03059551883, arjumand.bano@riphah.edu.pk
Sarah Nasir, MS-CPPT
About this study
Official title: Effects of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques With Incentive Spirometry Versus High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation on Cough, Sputum, Pulmonary Function Test and Patient Satisfaction After Thoracic Surgery
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques combined with Incentive Spirometry (ACBT + IS) versus High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications such as reduced lung function, ineffective cough, and sputum retention are common after thoracic procedures and can delay recovery. A total of 42 participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: one receiving ACBT with Incentive Spirometry and the other receiving HFCWO, along with standard postoperative care. Outcomes including cough effectiveness, sputum clearance, pulmonary function tests, and patient satisfaction will be assessed at baseline, postoperative day 3, and day 5. The study aims to determine the more effective airway clearance technique to improve respiratory outcomes and enhance patient recovery following thoracic surgery.
Read the detailed description
Postoperative pulmonary complications are common after thoracic surgery due to reduced lung function and impaired secretion clearance. Effective respiratory physiotherapy is essential to improve recovery and prevent complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia.
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques combined with Incentive Spirometry (ACBT + IS) and High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) in improving respiratory outcomes. A total of 42 patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery will be randomly assigned to either ACBT + IS or HFCWO, along with standard postoperative care.
Outcomes including cough effectiveness, sputum clearance, pulmonary function (FEV₁, FVC), and patient satisfaction will be assessed at baseline, postoperative day 3, and day 5. The study seeks to identify the more effective airway clearance technique to enhance recovery and reduce postoperative complications.
- Conditions
- Thoracic Surgery
- Being tested
- Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques with Incentive Spirometry, High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation
- Keywords
- Thoracic Surgery Postoperative,ACBT
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques with Incentive SpirometryProcedure or surgery
Also called ACBT + IS
A structured breathing intervention combining Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises, and forced expiratory technique) with incentive spirometry to promote lung expansion and secretion clearance. Performed multiple times daily during the early postoperative period.
High-Frequency Chest Wall OscillationDevice
Also called HFCWO, Oscillatory Vest Therapy
A mechanical airway clearance technique delivered using an oscillatory vest that produces high-frequency chest wall vibrations to help mobilize and remove pulmonary secretions. The intervention is administered twice daily beginning on postoperative day 3.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| ACBT with Incentive Spirometry | Active comparator | Participants in this group will receive Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBT) combined with Incentive Spirometry along with standard postoperative care. The ACBT protocol will include breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises, and forced expiratory techniques (huffing), performed multiple times daily. Incentive spirometry will be used to promote deep breathing and lung expansion. The intervention will begin in the early postoperative period and continue for 5 days. Receives: Procedure: Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques with Incentive Spirometry |
| High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation therapy using an oscillatory vest device along with standard postoperative care. The device delivers external chest wall oscillations to mobilize pulmonary secretions. The intervention will start on postoperative day 3 and will be administered twice daily for 5 days. Receives: Device: High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁)
Assessment of pulmonary function using spirometry parameters including Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁) to evaluate respiratory recovery after thoracic surgery.
Measured: Baseline (preoperative), Postoperative Day 3, and Day 5
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Assessment of pulmonary function using spirometry parameters including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) to evaluate respiratory recovery after thoracic surgery.
Measured: Baseline (preoperative), Postoperative Day 3, and Day 5
Cough Effectiveness
Evaluation of cough effectiveness using the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), measuring physical, psychological, and social impact of cough.
Measured: Baseline, Postoperative Day 3, and Day 5
Secondary outcomes (1)
Sputum Clearance
Measurement of sputum volume to assess effectiveness of airway clearance techniques.
Measured: Postoperative Day 3 and Day 5
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jun 2026
- Study startJun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion28 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion29 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Thoracic SurgeryStudies 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
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups. Group A will receive Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques combined with Incentive Spirometry, while Group B will receive High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation. Both groups will receive standard postoperative care and outcomes will be compared between groups.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Arjumand Bano, MSPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07619716
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/25/0323
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Jun 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 2 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques With Incentive Spirometry Versus High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation on Cough, Sputum, Pulmonary Function Test and Patient Satisfaction After Thoracic Surgery
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07619716
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/25/0323
- Conditions
- Thoracic Surgery
- Keywords
- Thoracic Surgery Postoperative,ACBT
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 28 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 29 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jun 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 randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques combined with Incentive Spirometry (ACBT + IS) versus High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications such as reduced lung function, ineffective cough, and sputum retention are common after thoracic procedures and can delay recovery. A total of 42 participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: one receiving ACBT with Incentive Spirometry and the other receiving HFCWO, along with standard postoperative care. Outcomes including cough effectiveness, sputum clearance, pulmonary function tests, and patient satisfaction will be assessed at baseline, postoperative day 3, and day 5. The study aims to determine the more effective airway clearance technique to improve respiratory outcomes and enhance patient recovery following thoracic surgery.
Detailed description
Postoperative pulmonary complications are common after thoracic surgery due to reduced lung function and impaired secretion clearance. Effective respiratory physiotherapy is essential to improve recovery and prevent complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia.
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques combined with Incentive Spirometry (ACBT + IS) and High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) in improving respiratory outcomes. A total of 42 patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery will be randomly assigned to either ACBT + IS or HFCWO, along with standard postoperative care.
Outcomes including cough effectiveness, sputum clearance, pulmonary function (FEV₁, FVC), and patient satisfaction will be assessed at baseline, postoperative day 3, and day 5. The study seeks to identify the more effective airway clearance technique to enhance recovery and reduce postoperative complications.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups. Group A will receive Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques combined with Incentive Spirometry, while Group B will receive High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation. Both groups will receive standard postoperative care and outcomes will be compared between groups.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| ACBT with Incentive Spirometry | Active comparator | Procedure: Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques with Incentive SpirometryParticipants in this group will receive Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBT) combined with Incentive Spirometry along with standard postoperative care. The ACBT protocol will include breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises, and forced expiratory techniques (huffing), performed multiple times daily. Incentive spirometry will be used to promote deep breathing and lung expansion. The intervention will begin in the early postoperative period and continue for 5 days. |
| High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) | Experimental | Device: High-Frequency Chest Wall OscillationParticipants in this group will receive High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation therapy using an oscillatory vest device along with standard postoperative care. The device delivers external chest wall oscillations to mobilize pulmonary secretions. The intervention will start on postoperative day 3 and will be administered twice daily for 5 days. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Adults aged 18-40 years
- Patients scheduled for elective thoracic surgery (e.g., lobectomy, pneumonectomy, thoracotomy, or VATS)
- Hemodynamically stable in the postoperative period
- Cognitively and physically able to perform breathing exercises and use devices (incentive spirometer/HFCWO vest)
- Willing to participate and provide informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Pre-existing severe pulmonary diseases (e.g., COPD, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis)
- Contraindications to HFCWO (e.g., recent rib fractures, chest wall trauma, unstable cardiovascular status)
- Cognitive, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal impairments limiting participation in interventions
- Prolonged mechanical ventilation (>24 hours postoperatively)
- Active pulmonary infection or hemoptysis within one week after surgery
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques with Incentive SpirometryAlso: ACBT + ISA structured breathing intervention combining Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises, and forced expiratory technique) with incentive spirometry to promote lung expansion and secretion clearance. Performed multiple times daily during the early postoperative period. | Procedure or surgery | ACBT with Incentive Spirometry |
| High-Frequency Chest Wall OscillationAlso: HFCWO, Oscillatory Vest TherapyA mechanical airway clearance technique delivered using an oscillatory vest that produces high-frequency chest wall vibrations to help mobilize and remove pulmonary secretions. The intervention is administered twice daily beginning on postoperative day 3. | Device | High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) |
Primary outcome
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁)
Time frame: Baseline (preoperative), Postoperative Day 3, and Day 5
Assessment of pulmonary function using spirometry parameters including Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁) to evaluate respiratory recovery after thoracic surgery.
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Time frame: Baseline (preoperative), Postoperative Day 3, and Day 5
Assessment of pulmonary function using spirometry parameters including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) to evaluate respiratory recovery after thoracic surgery.
Cough Effectiveness
Time frame: Baseline, Postoperative Day 3, and Day 5
Evaluation of cough effectiveness using the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), measuring physical, psychological, and social impact of cough.
1 secondary outcome
Sputum Clearance
Time frame: Postoperative Day 3 and Day 5
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jun 2026.
- 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.
Arjumand Bano, MSPT 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 Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques with Incentive Spirometry and High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation in people with Thoracic Surgery, 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 5 inclusion and 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 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 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Muhammad Iqbal Tariq, Phd* (03338236752, iqbal.tariq@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁) (time frame: Baseline (preoperative), Postoperative Day 3, and Day 5). The study lists 3 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 2 Jun 2026.