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The Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Breathing Pattern and Functionality in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

The Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Dysfunctional Breathing and Functional Ability in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure. A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07104357
Enrollment
18
Registered
2025-08-05
Start date
2025-08-15
Completion date
2026-10-15
Last updated
2025-08-05

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

Conditions

Breathing Pattern Disorder

Keywords

inspiratory muscle training, dysfunctional breathing, functional ability, chronic heart failure

Brief summary

The effect of inspiratory muscle training on breathing pattern and functionality in patients with chronic heart failure.

Detailed description

The study protocol aims to examine the impact of inspiratory muscle training on dysfunctional breathing and functional ability in patients with chronic heart failure. Inspiratory muscle training is a low-cost intervention that might improve the breathing pattern, functionality and overall quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure

Interventions

DEVICEInspiratory muscle training

Participants will perform 20 sessions of respiratory muscle strengthening (20 minutes at 30-60% of MIP), using the Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Training device

Sponsors

University of West Attica
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Intervention model description

This single-center, randomized controlled, single-blinded clinical trial is designed to investigate the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training on breathing pattern and functional ability in patients with chronic heart failure

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* adults aged ≥ 18 years * diagnosis of heart failure within the previous three to twelve months * current outpatients in a stable optimal medical regimen for at least 3 months * able to perform inspiratory muscle training * clinically stable, without hospital admission in the previous 3 months and without participation in any other training program in the previous 6 months

Exclusion criteria

* unstable angina * recent acute myocardial infarction * uncontrolled hypertension * valve disease * peripheral arterial disease * 6MWT assessment of less than 300 meters * previous pulmonary disease (forced vital capacity \<80% of predicted and/or forced expiratory volume in 1 s \<70% of predicted) * history of exercise-induced asthma * smokers

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Diaphragmatic ThicknessFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeksDiaphragmatic thickness measured by ultrasound is a non-invasive, widely used method to assess diaphragm structure in patients with chronic heart failure. Thickness is measured between the pleural and peritoneal lines at end-expiration and end-inspiration
Dysfunctional breathingFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeksDysfunctional breathing refers to abnormal breathing patterns that are often related to the heart's inability to supply blood effectively, affecting respiratory function. Dysfunctional breathing will be assessed with the Hi-Lo breathing test, an observational clinical test used to assess breathing pattern and diaphragm function. The clinician observes and palpates whether the movement is greater under the upper chest hand (Hi) or lower abdomen hand (Lo).The test is scored as Yes if upper chest (apical) breathing predominates and No if normal diaphragmatic breathing is present.
Functional abilityFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeksFunctional ability refers to how well patients can perform daily activities and maintain independence despite their cardiac condition. It will be assessed with the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), a simple and effective tool that evaluates the maximum distance a person can walk in six minutes. The outcome reflects the integrated response of the cardiovascular system mainly, and exercise tolerance.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Maximal inspiratory pressureFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeksIt is a measure of the strength of inspiratory muscles, primarily the diaphragm. MIP is a reliable and reproducible measure that does not depend on the patient's respiratory flow.
Functional DyspneaFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeksFunctional dyspnea will be measured with the Medical Research Council (MRC) Dyspnea scale, a simple grading system to evaluate the functional disability due to dyspnea. The scale ranges from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates breathlessness only with strenuous exercise and 5 indicates breathlessness that prevents leaving the house or occurs when dressing or undressing. Higher scores represent worse functional status (more severe dyspnea).
Health Related Quality of lifeFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeksQuality of life will be evaluated with the Short Form Survey, a questionnaire with 12-items, that measures quality of life in terms of physical and mental health. It generates scores typically ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status and quality of life.

Contacts

Primary ContactGeorgios Mitsiou, Phd
gmitsiou@uniwa.gr00306947888331

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 17, 2026