Try combined posture correction and breathing muscle exercises for COPD

Back to COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease trials

Recruiting

What is this trial?

This study is testing whether combining two types of exercises — posture correction and resistive breathing muscle training — can help people with COPD (a lung disease that makes breathing difficult) who also have forward head posture (when your head leans forward). All participants will do posture correction exercises, but different groups will also try either strengthening muscles used for breathing in, breathing out, or both.

Many people with COPD develop forward head posture, which makes their breathing problems worse by changing how their breathing muscles work. This trial is exploring whether fixing posture and strengthening breathing muscles together might help people breathe better and feel less short of breath.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with COPD at stage 1 or 2
you have forward head posture (verified by a measurement called craniovertebral angle less than 53 degrees)
you are between 40 and 60 years old
you experience shortness of breath rated at 6 or higher on a 10-point scale
your lung function tests show significant airflow limitation (FEV1 of 50% predicted or lower)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have severe COPD complications such as active respiratory infections, acute flare-ups, or pulmonary hypertension
you have heart or blood vessel complications related to your COPD
your breathing, nervous system, or heart conditions are currently unstable or uncontrolled
you have a congenital spine or neck deformity
you have frozen shoulder, shoulder problems, or nerve pain in the neck or arm

What participation looks like

You will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. All groups will receive posture correction exercises as a foundation, but your group will also receive one of three types of breathing muscle training: strengthening your inhalation muscles, strengthening your exhalation muscles, or strengthening both. You will attend treatment sessions (the exact frequency and duration are not specified in this summary) where a therapist will guide you through these exercises designed to improve your posture and breathing strength.

Posture and breathing exercises for COPD with forward head posture

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)