Asthma Childhood, Respiratory Muscle Training
Conditions
Keywords
Asthma, Expiratory Muscle Training
Brief summary
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of expiratory muscle training (EMT) as an adjunct to conventional chest physiotherapy in children with asthma. Respiratory muscle training has been shown to improve muscle strength, functional capacity, and symptom control in adults with asthma, but evidence in pediatric populations is limited, particularly regarding expiratory training. This study aims to determine whether adding EMT to standard physiotherapy enhances pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, asthma control, and functional capacity compared to chest physiotherapy alone. The main questions are: (1) Does EMT improve expiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in children with asthma? (2) Does EMT contribute to better asthma control and overall physical performance? Participants will be randomly assigned to either conventional chest physiotherapy or chest physiotherapy plus EMT. Interventions will be delivered as a home-based, low-cost, feasible program, with training protocols standardized in terms of intensity, frequency, and duration.
Interventions
OTHERHome-based chest physiotherapy program
he program will include breathing exercises, teaching of relaxation positions, cough training, breathing control strategies, and physical activity recommendations.
Participants perform expiratory muscle training (EMT) using a threshold device at 30% of their maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). The program consists of twice daily sessions, each lasting 20 minutes, at least 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. Resistance will be increased by 10% each week, adjusted according to tolerance and the presence of any complaints for experimental group.
Sponsors
Atlas University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age between 8 and 18 years Clinically diagnosed with asthma Ability to walk, cooperate, and be clinically stable Willingness to participate in the study
Exclusion criteria
* History of hospitalization within the last 4 weeks prior to enrollment Hospitalization during the exercise training program Presence of secondary conditions that may affect respiratory function (e.g., kyphoscoliosis) Currently participating in or having participated in a regular exercise training program within the past year
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Function Test | 8 weeks | Change from baseline forced vital capacity (FVC) at 8 weeks. |
| Respiratory Muscle Strength | 8 weeks | Change from baseline maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) at 8 weeks. |
| Peripheral Muscle Strength | 8 weeks | Change from baseline m. quadriceps strength at 8 weeks. |
| Functional Capacity | 8 weeks | Change from baseline distance covered in six minute walk test at 8 weeks. |
| Peak Cough Flow | 8 weeks | Change from baseline peak cough flow at 8 weeks. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Asthma Control | 8 weeks | Change from baseline Asthma Control Test at 8 weeks. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed