Recruitment of the Diaphragm and Sternocleidomastoid Muscle During Loaded Inspiration on Varying Sitting Support in Healthy Adults

NCT07007923 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: No.HE-OT2023/13
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This is a cross-sectional obsessional study. This study explores how different sitting conditions affect two important muscles-the diaphragm and the sternocleidomastoid (SCM)-work during breathing exercises. The diaphragm is the main muscle for breathing, while the SCM helps when taking deeper breaths. Understanding how these muscles interact while sitting under various conditions can help improve breathing training techniques. The study's objectives are (1) to investigate the relationship between diaphragm thickness fraction with 4 different sitting conditions during loaded inspiration among healthy adults and (2) To investigate the relationship between SCM activity with 4 different sitting conditions during loaded inspiration among healthy adults. This research will conduct healthy adults, who will be instructed to breathe against resistance provided by the IMT while sitting on four different conditions: a regular chair, a soft pad with feet on the ground, a soft pad with feet on two additional soft pads, and a single soft pad with both feet on one pad. By using ultrasound to measure how thick the diaphragm gets and surface electromyography (sEMG) to track SCM activity, the data will be gathered on how these muscles function under different conditions. The goal is to find out if sitting on unstable surfaces, like soft pads, can enhance diaphragm use compared to a stable chair. These surfaces may change how effectively the diaphragm and SCM work together. This research could lead to better recommendations for inspiratory muscle training (IMT), which helps strengthen these muscles, especially for people with breathing difficulties. By identifying how posture influences muscle recruitment during breathing exercises, hoping to contribute valuable insights that can improve rehabilitation programs for individuals with respiratory conditions.

Conditions

Diaphragm

Keywords

Diaphragmatic thickening fraction; Sternocleidomastoid muscles; inspiratory pressure

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Diaphragmatic thickening fraction

  Diaphragmatic thickening fraction is determined by "(thickness of the diaphragm at end inspiratory - thickness at end expiratory)/thickness at end expiratory". Diaphragmatic thickness will be measured by ultrasonography.

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle activation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Borg's scale

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Other Outcomes (1)

• The Short Form (12) Health Survey

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

aged 18-35 healthy young adults

You may qualify if:

• aged 18-35 years - No recent thoracic surgery in the past 6 months
• Absence in history of chronic respiratory illness
• Able to breathe spontaneously
• Conscious, able to follow instructions on the use of IMT device

You may not qualify if:

• with known cardiovascular, pulmonary or musculoskeletal disorders that would limit their functional capacity (E.g. Asthma, COPD)
• presence with respiratory symptoms over past 2 weeks
• pregnancy
• malignancy
• presence of neurological disorders (e.g. ALS, stroke)
• PCS/ MCS in SF-12 scores below 50
• Findings in spirometry suggesting presence of obstructive or restrictive disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hong Kong Metropolitan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hong Kong Metropolitan University Jockey Club Institute of Healthcare

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

Study Officials

• William Tsang

  Hong Kong Metropolitan University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Yi On Mak, Bachelor of Physiotherapy

CONTACT

+85292328865; s1314212@live.hkmu.edu.hk

William Tsang

CONTACT

(852) 39708703; wntsang@hkmu.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CROSSOVER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PHD student

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 10, 2025
• First Posted: June 6, 2025
• Study Start: June 19, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2025
• Study Completion: April 20, 2026
• Last Updated: June 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Locations

HK (1)