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Muscle Energy Techniques in COPD Patients

U

University of Malta

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Treatments

Other: Muscle Energy Techniques

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

Details and patient eligibility

About

Patients diagnosed with COPD as a result of hyperinflation adapt to the increased workload through shortening and overactivation of other muscles because of their dual function as muscles of the upper limb and neck motion which makes them limited in function and decreases the range of motion in these joints. Another resultant effect of these changes is the shortness of breath taking place following the inability of patients to perform daily activities.

Current research is focusing on the use of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) for such circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether METs result in an improvement in rib cage mobility which could potentially lead to improvements in pulmonary function and activities of daily of living (ADLs) in a group of patients diagnosed with COPD. If positive results are obtained, such an intervention might provide a possible addition to the evidence-based interventions already available for COPD patients. The result of this intervention may provide physiotherapists with further techniques for use in such patients; ones which will be of benefit to the patients and their quality of life and also to the health services.

Full description

Patients diagnosed with COPD as a result of hyperinflation adapt to the increased workload through shortening and overactivation of other muscles because of their dual function as muscles of the upper limb and neck motion which makes them limited in function and decreases the range of motion in these joints. Another resultant effect of these changes is the shortness of breath taking place following the inability of patients to perform daily activities.

Current research is focusing on the use of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) for such circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether METs result in an improvement in rib cage mobility which could potentially lead to improvements in pulmonary function and activities of daily of living (ADLs) in a group of patients diagnosed with COPD. If positive results are obtained, such an intervention might provide a possible addition to the evidence-based interventions already available for COPD patients. The result of this intervention may provide physiotherapists with further techniques for use in such patients; ones which will be of benefit to the patients and their quality of life and also to the health services.

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) shall be carried out on an approximate sample of 110 patients diagnosed with COPD. Participants shall be randomly assigned to an intervention and a control group. The intervention group shall be receiving a 4 week programme of Muscle Energy Techniques whereas the control group shall continue with their prescribed medications and any conventional physiotherapy sessions suggested for these patients.

Enrollment

110 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

40 to 80 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  1. The patient has to have been diagnosed as suffering from COPD by a medical consultant,
  2. Be medically stable with no exacerbations within the past 2 months and,
  3. Be between the age range of 40 to 79 years of age.

Exclusion criteria

  1. Rheumatoid arthritis,
  2. Musculoskeletal or neuromuscular pathology and,
  3. Cognitive disability that could affect comprehension or execution of the intervention protocol or outcome measurements

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Single Blind

110 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental
Experimental group
Description:
The experimental group shall be receiving a 4 week programme of Muscle Energy Techniques on the following accessory muscles; Sternocleidomastoid, Pectoralis Minor, Trapezius, Scalene muscles and Latissimus Dorsi
Treatment:
Other: Muscle Energy Techniques
Control group
No Intervention group
Description:
The control group will be taking their prescribed medication and continue with any conventional physiotherapy recommended for the individual.

Trial contacts and locations

0

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Central trial contact

Kimberley Sevasta, BSc; Anabel Sciriha, PhD

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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