Pneumonia in Children
Conditions
Keywords
Pneumonia, Balloon Blowing Therapy, Bubble PEP, Oxygen saturation
Brief summary
Pneumonia is a major cause of illness and death in children, leading to breathing difficulties and reduced oxygen levels due to impaired gas exchange. Non-pharmacological techniques like balloon blowing and Bubble PEP are simple, engaging methods used to improve respiratory function. This randomized clinical trial will compare the effects of Balloon Blowing Therapy and Bubble PEP on oxygen saturation, dyspnea, and enjoyment in 40 children with pediatric pneumonia over one week.
Detailed description
Pneumonia is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide and serious pediatric health concern. Symptoms including hypoxia, tachypnea, and dyspnea are brought on by inflammation and fluid buildup in the alveoli, which hinders gas exchange.Supportive oxygen therapy and antibiotics are usually used in conventional treatment, nonpharmacological therapies have become more prevalent to improve respiratory outcomes.Breathing techniques, such as bubble positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy and balloon blowing, are being used extensively to assist gas exchange, enhance lung function, and encourage airway clearing. These techniques are useful in children because these are easy to use, entertaining, and cost-effective. This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of Balloon Blowing Therapy (BBTG) and Bubble PEP Therapy (BPTG) on oxygen saturation, dyspnea, and perceived enjoyment in children with Pneumonia. Forty children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with pneumonia, fulfilling the eligibility criteria will be recruited through non-probability purposive sampling. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. Group A will receive Balloon Blowing Therapy along with baseline breathing techniques. Group B will receive Bubble PEP Therapy with the same baseline breathing techniques. Interventions will be administered twice daily in 5 consecutive days for 1 week. Outcome measures include oxygen saturation assessed via pulse oximeter, dyspnea assessed via Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and perceived enjoyment measured by a 5-point smiley Likert scale. Data will be analyzed using SPSS software.
Interventions
DEVICEBalloon Blowing Therapy
Balloon Blowing Therapy involves deep breathing followed by exhaling into a balloon to create positive pressure, improving lung expansion and airway clearance. It is combined with diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, performed twice daily in 5 days for 1 week
DEVICEBubble PEP
Bubble PEP involves deep inhalation followed by exhalation through water to create resistance and positive pressure, improving lung expansion and airway clearance. It is combined with diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, performed twice in 5 days for 1 week
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Participants will get separate treatment protocols and possible efforts will be put to mask both groups about treatment
Intervention model description
Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT), this study will include 40 pediatric participants age 6 -12 years, recruited from Gulab Devi Chest Hospital LHR. Participants will be randomly divided into 2 groups: one receiving Ballon Blowing Therapy with baseline breathing exercises and other group receive Bubble PEP with baseline breathing exercises. Outcome measures, including oxygen saturation (via Pulse Oximeter ), dypnea ( via Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale), and perceived enjoyment ( via 5-point Likert scale with faces or smiley icons ) will be recorded pre- and post- intervention. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS version 2023 to determine the intervention's effects.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 12 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Children aged 6 to 12 years * Medically stable and cleared to perform breathing exercises * Both genders will be included * Presence of dyspnea according to the patient's statement * Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) \<94%
Exclusion criteria
* Children who are critically ill patients on bi-pep or a ventilator, as well as patients who were intubated and uncooperative * Children with any oral surgery * Participants were excluded from the study, if they had any contraindication to the use PEP therapy (severe haemoptysis) * Refusal to participate or inability to complete full sessions
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse oximeter | 1 week | Oxygen saturation measured using a pulse oximeter to assess oxygen saturation in children with pneumonia.In healthy children, normal oxygen saturation (SpO₂) typically ranges from 95% to 100%, while values ≤92% indicate significant hypoxemia requiring medical attention. |
| Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale | 1 week | It is a patient-reported numerical scale assessing breathlessness during activity, ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no breathlessness and 10 indicates maximal breathlessness. Higher scores represent greater dyspnea. |
| 5-point Likert Scale with Faces | 1 week | This 5-point Likert scale with faces measures children's enjoyment and engagement during therapy. Scores range from 1 (not enjoyable) to 5 (highly enjoyable), with higher scores indicating greater enjoyment. |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
CONTACTImran Amjad, Phd
CONTACTMuhammad Asif Javed, MS-PT
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMahnoor ikram, MS-PT
Riphah International University
Outcome results
None listed