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The Effect of Deep Tissue Massage on Respiratory Parameters in People With Asthma

The Effect of Deep Tissue Massage on Respiratory Parameters in People With Asthma

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06893445
Enrollment
40
Registered
2025-03-25
Start date
2025-07-01
Completion date
2026-08-28
Last updated
2025-03-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Massage, Asthma Patients

Keywords

deep tissue massage, spirometry, asthma, respiratory parameters

Brief summary

Bronchial asthma, as a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. Standard treatment includes pharmacotherapy, but a holistic approach, including manual therapies, can support pharmacological therapy, reducing the need for drugs. The aim of the research is to verify whether deep tissue massage (DTM) techniques applied to the chest significantly affect respiratory parameters in people with asthma. The study is the next stage of the study conducted on healthy people. After obtaining positive results in the study involving people not suffering from respiratory diseases, the next step is to examine people with, in this case, bronchial asthma. It is important to determine whether the use of this form of manual therapy can bring benefits in the context of improving respiratory functions, reducing respiratory muscle tension and relieving subjective symptoms associated with asthma, such as shortness of breath or limitations in everyday functioning. The hypothesis assumes that DTM techniques can have a bigger effect on the respiratory system than classic massage (CM). The study is a randomized controlled trial, where participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the study group (subjected to DTM) or the control group (subjected to CM). Before and after the massage intervention, participants will undergo spirometry to assess the changes in respiratory parameters. The obtained data will then be analyzed for effects on respiratory parameters and differences between both groups.

Interventions

Administered as a soft tissue mobilization performed by the therapist with fingertips, knuckles, elbows and/or fists on the tissues that manifest symptoms of fascial restrictions. The techniques were performed with individually adjusted force until the change (eg. increased mobility) in the tissue being treated was stated by the therapist.

The subject was lying supine on the table, with a roller placed under the knee joints, the upper limbs along the body. The following sequence of techniques was used in the longitudinal and transverse strands and in the intercostal spaces (excluding the breast in women): effleurage, friction, petrissage, pressures, tapotement and vibrations.

Sponsors

Jagiellonian University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* diagnosed with bronchial asthma * stable health condition, allowing participation in the study * informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

* acute or chronic comorbidities that may affect the results (e.g. COPD, heart failure, cancer) * any chest surgery performed within the last 6 months * contraindications to massage (e.g. skin infections, wounds) * pregnancy * participation in other clinical trials in the last 3 months

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Assessment of change of lung vital capacitytwice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groupsThe vital capacity of the lungs will be assessed with spirometer. The subject stood with legs hip-width apart. For each measurement, disposable cardboard mouthpieces will be used. The examined person holds the device vertically with both hands. At the examiner's command, subject will take in as much air as possible, then tightly biet the mouthpiece with his mouth, and with all of their strength, exhale air into the device for as long as possible. The subject will have only 1 attempt-measured values were recorded with an accuracy of 50 mL.
Assessment of change of chest circumferencetwice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groupsThe chest circumference will be measured with a measuring tape, wrapped horizontally around the chest at the level of the xiphoid process. The subject stand with feet hip-width apart, arms hanging along the body. At the command, the subject will take a maximum breathe in (first measurement) and exhale to the maximum for the next (second measurement). Obtained values will be recorded with an accuracy of 0.5 cm.
Assessment of change of blood oxygen saturationtwice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groupsTesting blood oxygen saturation will be performed in a sitting position with digital pulseoximeter. The device will be put on the second finger of the left hand each time. The highest value displayed by the pulseoximeter within 30 s will be recorded with an accuracy of 1%.
Asessment of change of Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groupsDynamic spirometry test will be performed with spirometer to assess the peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured in liters per second \[l/s\]. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carry out the following command: Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible . This cycle will be performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements and the mean value will be calculated.
Assessment of change of Forced Vital Capacitytwice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groupsThe forced vital capacity (FVC), measured in liters will be assessed with spirometer. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carry out the following command: Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible .
Assessment of change of Maximum Expiratory Flowtwice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groupsAssessment of the maximum expiratory flow (MEF), measured in liters per second will be performed with spirometer. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carry out the following command: Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible . This cycle will be performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements and the mean value will be calculated.
Assessment of change of Forced Expiratory Volume in one secondtwice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groupsAssessment of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) measured in literswill be performed with spirometer. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carry out the following command: Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible . This cycle will be performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements and the mean value will be calculated.
Assessment of change of Maximum Voluntary Ventilationtwice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groupsAssessing the maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) measured in liters per minute will be performed with spirometer. The subject will sit with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carried out the following command: Breathe calmly. On my command, inhale and exhale as quickly and as deeply as possible for 15 s until you hear the 'stop' command. This cycle will be performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements and the mean value will be calculated.

Countries

Poland

Contacts

Primary ContactBartosz T Trybulec, PhD
bartosz.trybulec@uj.edu.pl12 422 56 83
Backup ContactSarah Duk, MSc
sarah.duk@doctoral.uj.edu.pl

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026