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

NCT06966063 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FUI/CTR/2024/69
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); Dyspnea

Keywords

Dyspnea; pulmonary function; quality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Dyspnea

  Evaluation will be done using Dyspnea-12 questionnaire for dyspnea

  4 weeks

• pulmonary function

  spirometer to measure volume of air inspired and exhale through lungs.

  4 weeks

• Quality of Life of COPD patients

  COPD assessment test (CAT) will be used to evaluate quality of life of COPD patients

  4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Interventional group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

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

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Procedure: Control Group

Interventions

4-7-8 breathing along with standard management. PROCEDURE

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. Week 01 and 02 Frequenc: 01 session/day Intensity: Start with comfortable duration. Time: 10 minutes Week 03 and 04 Frequecy: 02 sessions/day Intensity: 4 sec inhale, 7 sec hold and 8 sec exhale Time: 15 minutes

Interventional group

Control Group PROCEDURE

Patients will recieve 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.

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 64 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University College of Physical Therapy

Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Dyspnea

Interventions

Control Groups

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Respiration Disorders; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Research Design; Methods

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 2, 2025
• First Posted: May 11, 2025
• Study Start: June 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2025
• Study Completion: July 1, 2025
• Last Updated: September 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

PA (1)