Muscle Energy Techniques in COPD Patients

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinical Trial

Official title:

Muscle Energy Techniques in Chronic Obstructive Disease Patients: Effects on Pulmonary Function and Activities of Daily Living

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04773860
• Other study ID #: 333797
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 23, 2021
• Est. completion date: June 30, 2023

Study information

• Verified date: February 2021
• Source: University of Malta
• Contact: Kimberley Sevasta, BSc
• Phone: 79980164
• Email: sevastakimberley[@]gmail.com
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Patients diagnosed with COPD as a result of hyperinflation adapt to the increased workload through shortening and overactivation of other muscles because of their dual function as muscles of the upper limb and neck motion which makes them limited in function and decreases the range of motion in these joints. Another resultant effect of these changes is the shortness of breath taking place following the inability of patients to perform daily activities.

Current research is focusing on the use of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) for such circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether METs result in an improvement in rib cage mobility which could potentially lead to improvements in pulmonary function and activities of daily of living (ADLs) in a group of patients diagnosed with COPD. If positive results are obtained, such an intervention might provide a possible addition to the evidence-based interventions already available for COPD patients. The result of this intervention may provide physiotherapists with further techniques for use in such patients; ones which will be of benefit to the patients and their quality of life and also to the health services.

Description:

Patients diagnosed with COPD as a result of hyperinflation adapt to the increased workload through shortening and overactivation of other muscles because of their dual function as muscles of the upper limb and neck motion which makes them limited in function and decreases the range of motion in these joints. Another resultant effect of these changes is the shortness of breath taking place following the inability of patients to perform daily activities.

Current research is focusing on the use of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) for such circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether METs result in an improvement in rib cage mobility which could potentially lead to improvements in pulmonary function and activities of daily of living (ADLs) in a group of patients diagnosed with COPD. If positive results are obtained, such an intervention might provide a possible addition to the evidence-based interventions already available for COPD patients. The result of this intervention may provide physiotherapists with further techniques for use in such patients; ones which will be of benefit to the patients and their quality of life and also to the health services.

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) shall be carried out on an approximate sample of 110 patients diagnosed with COPD. Participants shall be randomly assigned to an intervention and a control group. The intervention group shall be receiving a 4 week programme of Muscle Energy Techniques whereas the control group shall continue with their prescribed medications and any conventional physiotherapy sessions suggested for these patients.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 110
• Est. completion date: June 30, 2023
• Est. primary completion date: September 30, 2022
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 40 Years to 80 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The patient has to have been diagnosed as suffering from COPD by a medical consultant,

2. Be medically stable with no exacerbations within the past 2 months and,

3. Be between the age range of 40 to 79 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis,

2. Musculoskeletal or neuromuscular pathology and,

3. Cognitive disability that could affect comprehension or execution of the intervention protocol or outcome measurements

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Lung Diseases, Obstructive
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Intervention

Other:
• Muscle Energy Techniques
A 4 week intervention will be carried out consisting of Muscle Energy Techniques on the accessory muscle of respiration. That is, Pectoralis Minor, Sternocleidomastoid, Upper trapezius, Scalene muscles and Latissimus Dorsi

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Malta

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in Lung function test	Spirometry	Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
Primary	Change in Chest expansion	Chest expansion using a tape measure	Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
Primary	Change in 6 Minute Walk Test	An endurance test over a 6 minute time frame using a 30m course	Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
Primary	Change in Manchester Related Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire	MR-ADL is a reliable physical disability scale. It is a self-completed scale and usually takes around 10 minutes to complete. It assesses functional ability in 4 different domains, that is in the kitchen, mobility, domestic tasks and leisure activities	Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8