Additive Effects of 4-7-8 Breathing Technique With Standard Management on Dyspnea, Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life in Patients With COPD.

Foundation University Islamabad

Status: Completed

Conditions: Dyspnea; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Treatments: Procedure: Control Group; Procedure: 4-7-8 breathing along with standard management.

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06966063

FUI/CTR/2024/69

Details and patient eligibility

About

A heterogeneous lung condition characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough, expectoration and/or exacerbations) due to abnormalities of the airways (bronchitis, bronchiolitis) and/or alveoli (emphysema)-- cause persistent, often progressive, airflow obstruction.

Breathing exercises help to manage dyspnea and reduced pulmonary function often seen in COPD patients. To handle respiratory complications COPD patients are advised to practice breathing techniques in conjunction with their prescribed medications.

Full description

COPD is a very common chronic respiratory disease with symptoms (dyspnea, cough, expectoration and/or exacerbations) due to abnormalities of the airways (bronchitis, bronchiolitis) and/or alveoli (emphysema)-- cause persistent, often progressive, airflow obstruction.

Breathing exercises help to manage dyspnea associated with COPD. In order to manage respiratory conditions COPD patients are encouraged for nasal breathing techniques along with standard management. Hence the objective of the study is to compare the effects of 4-7-8 breathing along with standard management versus standard management alone on dyspnea, pulmonary function, and quality of life in patients with COPD.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 64 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults: aged (40-64 years)
• Gender: Both males and females
• Grade1- Grade 1-3 on Modified MRC dyspnea scale
• COPD mild and moderate according to GOLD classification
• Mild: FEV1 > 80% predicted
• Moderate: FEV1 >50% predicted

Exclusion criteria

• Severe and very severe stage of COPD according to GOLD classification.
• Patients having Acute exacerbation of COPD.
• Patients diagnosed with acute infections.
• Patients unable to follow commands/ instructions.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Interventional group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients in interventional group will recieve 4-7-8 breathing along with standard management. For 4-7-8 breathing, Patient is asked sit in comfortable position. Patient is asked place the tip of your tongue up against the back of your front teeth. Keep it there through the entire breathing process. Instruct the patient to breathe in silently through your nose to the count of four (4sec) and Hold your breath to the count of seven (7sec). Exhale through your mouth to the count of eight (8sec), making an audible "whoosh" sound. That completes one full breath. Repeat the cycle another three time, and gradually in increase the cycle four time. Total 4 weeks protocol. Two sessions per week will be supervised by physiotherapist and 5 days at home. A home diary will be provided in order to ensure and follow-up that participants are performing breathing exercise at home along with medications prescribed by pulmonologist.

Treatment:

Procedure: 4-7-8 breathing along with standard management.

Control group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients will receive medication as prescribed by pulmonologist through stepwise approach according to symptoms and severity. Total 4 weeks protocol. Before and after 4 weeks pre and post interventional values will be taken. Week 01 and 02 Patients will receive medications prescribed by pulmonologist. Week 03 and 04 Patients will receive medications prescribed by pulmonologist.

Treatment:

Procedure: Control Group