COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)NCT07713043
Effects of Autogenic Drainage and Flutter Device in COPD
A study testing Autogenic drainage and Flutter Device in people with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Airway clearance techniques help improve mucus removal, reduce dyspnea, and enhance quality of life in COPD patients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- What is being tested?
- Autogenic drainage and Flutter Device
- 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 1 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 40 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age group: Middle age adults (40-60 years), medically stable
- Both gender
- Diagnosis based on GOLD criteria ((FEV₁/FVC ratio < 0.70).
- Moderate COPD with no acute exacerbations in the past 4-6 weeks.
- Participants must be able to perform Autogenic drainage and Flutter device physically and mentally.
- Voluntary participation with consent.
Who cannot join
- Cardic Diseases (Acute MI, Congestive Heart Failure)
- Musculoskeletal Impairements
- Using Non-invasive Ventilation
- Recent lung diseases (Respiratory failure, pneumothorax)
- Hemodynamic instability
- Uncoorperative patients
Show all 9Show fewer
- Cognitive Impairement scale
- Participants excluded if they did not consent
- Comorbidities affecting exercise tolerance
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
Nimra Noor
Lahore, Punjab Province, 40100
Nimra Noor Noor, MS-CPPT, 03030684869, nimranoor358@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Autogenic Drainage and Flutter Device on Dyspnea, Pulmonary Function Test and Functional Capacity in COPD
COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Airway clearance techniques help improve mucus removal, reduce dyspnea, and enhance quality of life in COPD patients. This study aims to compare the effects of autogenic drainage and flutter device on dyspnea, pulmonary function, and functional capacity in patients with COPD. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital using convenient sampling. Participants will be divided into two groups: Group A will receive autogenic drainage, while Group B will use the flutter device. Interventions will be performed daily for 20-30 minutes over 6 weeks. Outcome measures will include dyspnea severity scale, spirometry, and 6-minute walk test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS with significance set at p < 0.05. The study may provide evidence for effective, non-invasive, and cost-effective management strategies for COPD patients.
Read the detailed description
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is progressive damage to lungs with a combination of airway diseases that are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is the major cause of chronic mortality and morbidity throughout the world. It's third leading cause of death in the world. Non pharmacological intervention Airway clearance techniques plays crucial role in managing COPD and enhancing patients quality of life by removal of bronchial secretions. Two popular techniques autogenic drainage and flutter are based on the same principle of mobilization and removal of secretions. These non-invasive techniques aimed at enhancing mucus clearance and reducing dyspnea. The objective of the study's primary goal is to compare the effect of autogenic drainage and flutter device on the dyspnea, pulmonary function test and functional capacity in the patients with COPD. The study design will be ramdomized clinical trial. It will be conducted at Ghulab Devi |Teaching Hospital. Sample size will be conducted through non- probability convenient sampling as per inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly added into two groups. Group A will receive autogenic drainage intervention and the Group B will receive flutter device intervention. Both interventions will be practiced daily for 5 days 6 weeks for 20-30 minutes. Pre and post intervention data will be collected. Outcome measures include dyspnea severity scale, spirometer and 6-minute walk test. Data will be analyzed by using SPSS. Data will be tested for normality distribution. Paired or Independent t-test will be used to compare variables between the two groups and within the two groups, with significance set at p< 0.05. This study will provide evidence for the integration of non-invasive, cost effective strategies for the enhancement of PFT's and functional capacity and dyspnea.
- Being tested
- Autogenic drainage, Flutter Device
- Keywords
- Autogenic drainage, COPD, Dyspnea, Flutter device, Functional capacity, Pulmonary function test
- Medical subject headings
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Dyspnea
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Autogenic drainageProcedure or surgery
Also called Controlled Breathing Drainage, Airway Clearance Breathing Technique
The patient begins by performing the diaphragmatic breathing at low lung volume inspiration will slow with a pause of three seconds allowing the collateral ventilation, and expiration will done as a sigh with an open glottis and with high velocity as possible but no forced expiration. During this low lung volume breathing, expiration will encourage to the expiratory reserve volume. When the patient feel secretions to be moving, the volume of inspiration became deeper and expiration did not go down as far as expiratory reserve volume. As the secretions moved up the bronchial tree to the large airways then the patient will ask to perform higher lung volume breathing, tidal volume to inspiratory reserve volume range. This middle to high lung volume breathing continued until the secretions will in the trachea and ready to be expectorated
Flutter DeviceDevice
The flutter device will hold horizontally and tilted slightly upwards to get maximal oscillatory effect and then it was placed in the mouth. Inspiration was done through the nose. A slow breath in, only slightly deeper than normal with a breath hold of 3-5 seconds will followed by breath out through the flutter device at a slightly faster rate than normal. After 4-8 breaths, a deep breath with a hold' at full inspiration will followed by a force expiration through the flutter device. This precipitated expectoration and will followed by a pause for breathing control, and then according to the subjects' preference a cough or huff was done
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Autogenic drainage | Experimental | The participants in this group will be instructed to sit comfortably with the neck slightly extended and clear the upper airways by huffing or blowing the nose. Autogenic drainage begins with slow diaphragmatic breathing at low lung volumes, followed by a 3-second pause and gentle high-velocity expiration with an open glottis. As secretions move upward, breathing gradually shifts to medium and high lung volumes until mucus reaches the trachea for expectoration. The cycle of breathing exercises is repeated for 15-20 minutes while suppressing unnecessary coughing. Receives: Procedure: Autogenic drainage |
| Flutter Device (Positive expiratory pressure technique) | Experimental | The participant in this group will be instructed to sit comfortably while leaning forward with elbows supported and the neck slightly extended to open the airway. The flutter device is held horizontally with a slight upward tilt and placed in the mouth. The patient inhales slowly through the nose, holds the breath for 3-5 seconds, and exhales through the flutter device slightly faster than normal. After 4-8 breaths, a deep inhalation followed by forced expiration through the device helps mobilize secretions. Breathing control is maintained, followed by coughing or huffing if needed. The procedure is repeated for 10-15 minutes. Receives: Device: Flutter Device |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Dyspnea
The modified medical research council; (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale is a simple and widely used scale
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Forced Vital Capacity
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) will be measured in liters (L) using spirometry. FVC represents the maximum volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a maximal inspiration.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second
Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV₁) will be measured in liters (L) using spirometry. FEV₁ represents the volume of air exhaled during the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
FEV₁/FVC ratio
The FEV₁/FVC ratio will be expressed as a percentage (%) and calculated from spirometric measurements to assess the degree of airflow limitation.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Peak Expiratory Flow
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) will be measured in liters per minute (L/min) and represents the maximum expiratory flow achieved during forced expiration.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Jul 2026
- Study startJun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly added into two groups. Group A will receive autogenic drainage intervention and the Group B will receive flutter device intervention. Both interventions will be practiced daily for 5 days 6 weeks for 20-30 minutes. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and after intervention to compare treatment effects.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Arjumand Bano, MS, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07713043
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/25/0309
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Jul 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 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Autogenic Drainage and Flutter Device on Dyspnea, Pulmonary Function Test and Functional Capacity in COPD
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07713043
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/25/0309
- Keywords
- Autogenic drainage, COPD, Dyspnea, Flutter device, Functional capacity, Pulmonary function test
- 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
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Jul 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.
COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Airway clearance techniques help improve mucus removal, reduce dyspnea, and enhance quality of life in COPD patients. This study aims to compare the effects of autogenic drainage and flutter device on dyspnea, pulmonary function, and functional capacity in patients with COPD. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital using convenient sampling. Participants will be divided into two groups: Group A will receive autogenic drainage, while Group B will use the flutter device. Interventions will be performed daily for 20-30 minutes over 6 weeks. Outcome measures will include dyspnea severity scale, spirometry, and 6-minute walk test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS with significance set at p < 0.05. The study may provide evidence for effective, non-invasive, and cost-effective management strategies for COPD patients.
Detailed description
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is progressive damage to lungs with a combination of airway diseases that are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is the major cause of chronic mortality and morbidity throughout the world. It's third leading cause of death in the world. Non pharmacological intervention Airway clearance techniques plays crucial role in managing COPD and enhancing patients quality of life by removal of bronchial secretions. Two popular techniques autogenic drainage and flutter are based on the same principle of mobilization and removal of secretions. These non-invasive techniques aimed at enhancing mucus clearance and reducing dyspnea. The objective of the study's primary goal is to compare the effect of autogenic drainage and flutter device on the dyspnea, pulmonary function test and functional capacity in the patients with COPD. The study design will be ramdomized clinical trial. It will be conducted at Ghulab Devi |Teaching Hospital. Sample size will be conducted through non- probability convenient sampling as per inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly added into two groups. Group A will receive autogenic drainage intervention and the Group B will receive flutter device intervention. Both interventions will be practiced daily for 5 days 6 weeks for 20-30 minutes. Pre and post intervention data will be collected. Outcome measures include dyspnea severity scale, spirometer and 6-minute walk test. Data will be analyzed by using SPSS. Data will be tested for normality distribution. Paired or Independent t-test will be used to compare variables between the two groups and within the two groups, with significance set at p< 0.05. This study will provide evidence for the integration of non-invasive, cost effective strategies for the enhancement of PFT's and functional capacity and dyspnea.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly added into two groups. Group A will receive autogenic drainage intervention and the Group B will receive flutter device intervention. Both interventions will be practiced daily for 5 days 6 weeks for 20-30 minutes. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and after intervention to compare treatment effects.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Autogenic drainage | Experimental | Procedure: Autogenic drainageThe participants in this group will be instructed to sit comfortably with the neck slightly extended and clear the upper airways by huffing or blowing the nose. Autogenic drainage begins with slow diaphragmatic breathing at low lung volumes, followed by a 3-second pause and gentle high-velocity expiration with an open glottis. As secretions move upward, breathing gradually shifts to medium and high lung volumes until mucus reaches the trachea for expectoration. The cycle of breathing exercises is repeated for 15-20 minutes while suppressing unnecessary coughing. |
| Flutter Device (Positive expiratory pressure technique) | Experimental | Device: Flutter DeviceThe participant in this group will be instructed to sit comfortably while leaning forward with elbows supported and the neck slightly extended to open the airway. The flutter device is held horizontally with a slight upward tilt and placed in the mouth. The patient inhales slowly through the nose, holds the breath for 3-5 seconds, and exhales through the flutter device slightly faster than normal. After 4-8 breaths, a deep inhalation followed by forced expiration through the device helps mobilize secretions. Breathing control is maintained, followed by coughing or huffing if needed. The procedure is repeated for 10-15 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age group: Middle age adults (40-60 years), medically stable
- Both gender
- Diagnosis based on GOLD criteria ((FEV₁/FVC ratio < 0.70).
- Moderate COPD with no acute exacerbations in the past 4-6 weeks.
- Participants must be able to perform Autogenic drainage and Flutter device physically and mentally.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Cardic Diseases (Acute MI, Congestive Heart Failure)
- Musculoskeletal Impairements
- Using Non-invasive Ventilation
- Recent lung diseases (Respiratory failure, pneumothorax)
- Hemodynamic instability
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Autogenic drainageAlso: Controlled Breathing Drainage, Airway Clearance Breathing TechniqueThe patient begins by performing the diaphragmatic breathing at low lung volume inspiration will slow with a pause of three seconds allowing the collateral ventilation, and expiration will done as a sigh with an open glottis and with high velocity as possible but no forced expiration. During this low lung volume breathing, expiration will encourage to the expiratory reserve volume. When the patient feel secretions to be moving, the volume of inspiration became deeper and expiration did not go down as far as expiratory reserve volume. As the secretions moved up the bronchial tree to the large airways then the patient will ask to perform higher lung volume breathing, tidal volume to inspiratory reserve volume range. This middle to high lung volume breathing continued until the secretions will in the trachea and ready to be expectorated | Procedure or surgery | Autogenic drainage |
| Flutter DeviceThe flutter device will hold horizontally and tilted slightly upwards to get maximal oscillatory effect and then it was placed in the mouth. Inspiration was done through the nose. A slow breath in, only slightly deeper than normal with a breath hold of 3-5 seconds will followed by breath out through the flutter device at a slightly faster rate than normal. After 4-8 breaths, a deep breath with a hold' at full inspiration will followed by a force expiration through the flutter device. This precipitated expectoration and will followed by a pause for breathing control, and then according to the subjects' preference a cough or huff was done | Device | Flutter Device (Positive expiratory pressure technique) |
Primary outcome
Dyspnea
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
The modified medical research council; (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale is a simple and widely used scale
Forced Vital Capacity
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) will be measured in liters (L) using spirometry. FVC represents the maximum volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a maximal inspiration.
Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV₁) will be measured in liters (L) using spirometry. FEV₁ represents the volume of air exhaled during the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver.
FEV₁/FVC ratio
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
The FEV₁/FVC ratio will be expressed as a percentage (%) and calculated from spirometric measurements to assess the degree of airflow limitation.
Peak Expiratory Flow
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) will be measured in liters per minute (L/min) and represents the maximum expiratory flow achieved during forced expiration.
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 20 Jul 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, 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 Autogenic drainage and Flutter Device in people with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), 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 6 inclusion and 9 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 20 Jul 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 Tariq, Phd* (333826752, 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?
Dyspnea (time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention). 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 Jul 2026.