Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)NCT07742033
Active Cycle Of Breathing Technique And Pursed Lip Breathing in Moderate to Severe COPD Patients
A study testing Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) and Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Purpose of the Study Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, long-term lung condition that limits airflow and makes breathing difficult. People with COPD frequently experience shortness of breath, chronic coughing, and mucus buildup, which can severely impact their daily activities and overall… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 55 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- What is being tested?
- Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) and Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 11 Jan 2025to 30 Jun 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 40 to 55 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Both genders.
- Subjects with the 40-55 age years.
- Diagnosed with COPD
- Subjects who are on regular treatment
- Subjects who are conscious and cooperative
- Subjects who can understand and follow instruction
Who cannot join
- • Patients with recent abdominal, and thoracic surgery.
- Patients with any Disability; Physical or Mental.
- Patients with unstable angina, advanced congestive heart failure, or severe pulmonary hypertension, because altered intrathoracic pressures during forced expirations strain the heart.
- Patients with advanced kyphoscoliosis or severe pectus excavatum, as baseline structural restrictions prevent optimal diaphragmatic excursion and chest wall expansion.
- Patients presenting with severe resting hypoxemia or highly volatile blood oxygen values at baseline that require continuous emergency clinical monitoring.
- Patients who have experienced a sudden worsening or an acute clinical crash within the past 4 weeks, as the forced expiratory components (such as huffing) involved in active airway clearance can severely exacerbate active bronchospasms.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Purpose of the Study Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, long-term lung condition that limits airflow and makes breathing difficult. People with COPD frequently experience shortness of breath, chronic coughing, and mucus buildup, which can severely impact their daily activities and overall quality of life. While medications are commonly used, non drug therapies like specialized breathing exercises are becoming vital tools to help relieve symptoms.
The purpose of this study is to compare two popular breathing techniques the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) and Pursed-Lip Breathing (PLB) to determine which method is more effective at improving lung function, reducing breathlessness, and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals living with moderate to severe COPD.
Read more
Study Plan and Methods
This study is a randomized controlled trial lasting approximately 8 to 10 months. A total of 40 eligible participants (both men and women aged 40 to 55) will be recruited and randomly split into two equal groups:
Group A (Active Cycle Breathing): Participants will practice ACBT, which combines relaxed breathing, deep chest-expanding breaths, and a specialized coughing technique ("huffing") to clear trapped mucus from the lungs Group B (Pursed-Lip Breathing): Participants will practice PLB, a technique where they inhale slowly through the nose and exhale gently through puckered lips (like blowing out a candle) to slow down breathing and improve ventilation Both groups will receive their assigned breathing exercise alongside standard medical care and a baseline postural drainage treatment. Exercises will be performed in 15-to-20-minute sessions, twice a day, for a total of 8 weeks.
Expected Outcomes Researchers will evaluate participants before and after the 8-week program using standard lung function tests (spirometry), breathlessness questionnaires, and quality-of-life assessments. The study expects both techniques to offer relief, but aims to identify if one method provides superior evidence-based benefits. The ultimate goal is to help physical therapists and doctors design more effective, personalized pulmonary rehabilitation programs for COPD patients.
- Conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Being tested
- Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT), Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB)
- Keywords
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),, Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT), Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB), Pulmonary Function, Pakistan
- Medical subject headings
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT)Other
The intervention consists of the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT), a flexible regimen of breathing exercises designed to clear excess secretions from the lungs. It will be performed in 3 distinct phases: 1) Breathing Control (relaxed, gentle breathing to calm the airways), 2) Thoracic Expansion (deep, controlled breaths to expand the chest and loosen mucus), and 3) Forced Expiratory Technique/FET (using "huffing" to mobilize and clear mucus). Participants will perform 2 sessions a day, lasting 15-20 minutes per session, for a total of 8 weeks. All sessions will be conducted under standard baseline postural drainage alongside standard medical care.
Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB)Other
The intervention consists of the Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) technique, a breathing exercise aimed at reducing breathlessness and improving ventilation efficiency. Participants are trained to slowly inhale through the nose for 2 counts (allowing the belly to expand) and gently exhale through puckered lips for 4 or more counts without forcing the air out. Participants will perform 2 sessions a day, lasting 15-20 minutes per session, for a total of 8 weeks. All sessions will be conducted under standard baseline postural drainage alongside standard medical care.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) | Experimental | For Arm 1 (Group A), enter this text into the description field:
Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) group. Participants in this arm will perform the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique, which combines three phases: breathing control (relaxed breathing), thoracic expansion (deep breaths), and the forced expiratory technique ("huffing") to mobilize and clear mucus from the lungs. The intervention will be administered in 2 sessions per day for a total duration of 8 weeks. Each session will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Participants will also receive standard COPD medical care and medication, alongside standard baseline postural drainage. Receives: Other: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) |
| Group B: Pursed Lip Breathing Technique (PLB) | Experimental | Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) group. Participants in this arm will perform Pursed Lip Breathing, a technique where they slowly inhale through the nose for 2 counts and gently exhale through puckered lips for 4 or more counts to slow breathing and improve ventilation. The intervention will be administered in 2 sessions per day for a total duration of 8 weeks. Each session will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Participants will also receive standard COPD medical care and medication, alongside standard baseline postural drainage. Receives: Other: Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
orced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention at 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Pulmonary Function Test (FEV1/FVC Ratio)
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention at 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Aug 2026
- Study start11 Jan 2025
- Primary completion20 Feb 2026
- Study completion30 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of LahoreThe 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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Lahore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Lahore Hospital (ULH)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07742033
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UOL/IREB/25/12/0002
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 14 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- 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 3 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Active Cycle Of Breathing Technique And Pursed Lip Breathing in Moderate to Severe COPD Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07742033
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UOL/IREB/25/12/0002
- Conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Keywords
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),, Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT), Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB), Pulmonary Function, Pakistan
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of LahoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Lahore Hospital (ULH)
- Study start
- 11 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Aug 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.
Purpose of the Study Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, long-term lung condition that limits airflow and makes breathing difficult. People with COPD frequently experience shortness of breath, chronic coughing, and mucus buildup, which can severely impact their daily activities and overall quality of life. While medications are commonly used, non drug therapies like specialized breathing exercises are becoming vital tools to help relieve symptoms.
The purpose of this study is to compare two popular breathing techniques the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) and Pursed-Lip Breathing (PLB) to determine which method is more effective at improving lung function, reducing breathlessness, and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals living with moderate to severe COPD.
Study Plan and Methods
This study is a randomized controlled trial lasting approximately 8 to 10 months. A total of 40 eligible participants (both men and women aged 40 to 55) will be recruited and randomly split into two equal groups:
Group A (Active Cycle Breathing): Participants will practice ACBT, which combines relaxed breathing, deep chest-expanding breaths, and a specialized coughing technique ("huffing") to clear trapped mucus from the lungs Group B (Pursed-Lip Breathing): Participants will practice PLB, a technique where they inhale slowly through the nose and exhale gently through puckered lips (like blowing out a candle) to slow down breathing and improve ventilation Both groups will receive their assigned breathing exercise alongside standard medical care and a baseline postural drainage treatment. Exercises will be performed in 15-to-20-minute sessions, twice a day, for a total of 8 weeks.
Expected Outcomes Researchers will evaluate participants before and after the 8-week program using standard lung function tests (spirometry), breathlessness questionnaires, and quality-of-life assessments. The study expects both techniques to offer relief, but aims to identify if one method provides superior evidence-based benefits. The ultimate goal is to help physical therapists and doctors design more effective, personalized pulmonary rehabilitation programs for COPD patients.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) | Experimental | Other: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT)For Arm 1 (Group A), enter this text into the description field: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) group. Participants in this arm will perform the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique, which combines three phases: breathing control (relaxed breathing), thoracic expansion (deep breaths), and the forced expiratory technique ("huffing") to mobilize and clear mucus from the lungs. The intervention will be administered in 2 sessions per day for a total duration of 8 weeks. Each session will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Participants will also receive standard COPD medical care and medication, alongside standard baseline postural drainage. |
| Group B: Pursed Lip Breathing Technique (PLB) | Experimental | Other: Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB)Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) group. Participants in this arm will perform Pursed Lip Breathing, a technique where they slowly inhale through the nose for 2 counts and gently exhale through puckered lips for 4 or more counts to slow breathing and improve ventilation. The intervention will be administered in 2 sessions per day for a total duration of 8 weeks. Each session will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Participants will also receive standard COPD medical care and medication, alongside standard baseline postural drainage. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Both genders.
- Subjects with the 40-55 age years.
- Diagnosed with COPD
- Subjects who are on regular treatment
- Subjects who are conscious and cooperative
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- • Patients with recent abdominal, and thoracic 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 Technique (ACBT)The intervention consists of the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT), a flexible regimen of breathing exercises designed to clear excess secretions from the lungs. It will be performed in 3 distinct phases: 1) Breathing Control (relaxed, gentle breathing to calm the airways), 2) Thoracic Expansion (deep, controlled breaths to expand the chest and loosen mucus), and 3) Forced Expiratory Technique/FET (using "huffing" to mobilize and clear mucus). Participants will perform 2 sessions a day, lasting 15-20 minutes per session, for a total of 8 weeks. All sessions will be conducted under standard baseline postural drainage alongside standard medical care. | Other | Group A: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) |
| Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB)The intervention consists of the Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) technique, a breathing exercise aimed at reducing breathlessness and improving ventilation efficiency. Participants are trained to slowly inhale through the nose for 2 counts (allowing the belly to expand) and gently exhale through puckered lips for 4 or more counts without forcing the air out. Participants will perform 2 sessions a day, lasting 15-20 minutes per session, for a total of 8 weeks. All sessions will be conducted under standard baseline postural drainage alongside standard medical care. | Other | Group B: Pursed Lip Breathing Technique (PLB) |
Primary outcome
orced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 8 weeks
1 secondary outcome
Pulmonary Function Test (FEV1/FVC Ratio)
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 8 weeks
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 3 Aug 2026.
- Related InfoLink 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.
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 Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) and Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), run by University of Lahore 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 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 3 Aug 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?
orced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) (time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 8 weeks). 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 3 Aug 2026.