Effect of Digital Physiotherapy Practice on Pulmonary Function, Muscle Strength, Quality of Life After Thoracic Surgery

NCT07133672 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: BVUaysegul001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Thoracic surgery is the primary intervention used in the treatment of diseases affecting the lungs, pleura, chest wall, and mediastinum. Postoperative changes occur in both lung functions and clinical symptoms due to the procedure itself and patient-related factors. After thoracic surgery, patients often experience reduced exercise tolerance and impaired respiratory functions, negatively affecting their participation in daily activities, functional levels, and quality of life. In open thoracotomies, the incision site, severed muscles, and the size of the incision can impact upper extremity and trunk functions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of physiotherapy applied through digital methods on respiratory functions, respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, upper extremity muscle strength, and quality of life in patients who have undergone thoracic surgery.

Conditions

Thoracic Surgery

Keywords

Physiotherapy; Thoracic surgery; Exercises

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Forced vital capacity (FVC)

  The volume of air exhaled during a full and strongest exhalation possible after a full inspiration, as measured by a spirometry device.

  12 weeks

• Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)

  FEV1 is the expiratory volume in the first second of the FVC maneuver.

  12 weeks

• Tiffeneau ratio (FEV1/FVC)

  The FEV1/FVC represents the fraction of air a patient exhales in the first second. This measurement is crucial for detecting airflow obstruction.

  12 weeks

• Peak expiratory flow (PEF)

  Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) is defined as a maximal expiratory flow generated during a simple maneuver using a peak flow meter via a mouthpiece.

  12 weeks

• Respiratory Muscle Strength

  Maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures are measured using an intraoral pressure measuring device.

  12 weeks

• Functional Capacity

  Six-Minute Walking Test Distance measurement (in meter).

  12 weeks

• Upper Extremity Peripheral Muscle Strength

  Measurement of shoulder flexion and abduction muscle strength using an electronic hand dynamometer.

  12 weeks

• Health Related Quality of Life

  Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire Results. Scores range from 1 to 100. Higher scores mean worse health.

  12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Shoulder Joint Range of Motion Measurement

  12 weeks

• Trunk Lateral Flexion Flexibility

  12 weeks

• Chest Expansion

  12 weeks

• Shoulder Pain

  12 weeks

• Sleep

  12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Training group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

During the initial face-to-face assessment session, patients will be provided with general information regarding key points to consider following thoracic surgery. Instruction on the proper techniques for performing breathing exercises will also be given. The exercise training sessions will be structured to include approximately 10 minutes of warm-up, around 30 minutes of goal-oriented exercises, and a final 10-minute cool-down period, resulting in a total average duration of 50 minutes per session.

Other: Exercise

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

During the initial face-to-face assessment session, patients will be provided with general information regarding key points to consider following thoracic surgery.

Other: Standard care

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

Exercise sessions will begin with flexibility exercises targeting the shoulder and neck regions. This will be followed by breathing exercises utilizing fundamental respiratory techniques. Extremity exercises will include movements focused on the upper extremities and trunk, with progression applied according to a pre-established plan. Each session will conclude with cool-down exercises. Additionally, patients will be encouraged to engage in regular walking on a weekly basis.

Training group

Standard care OTHER

Patients will receive education regarding the critical aspects to consider after hospital discharge. Standard postoperative care protocols will be implemented.

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients who underwent open thoracotomy
• Agreement to participate in the study
• Being between the ages of 18-75
• Having an internet connection at home and being able to participate in video-conference sessions via desktop-laptop computers, smartphones, electronic tablets, etc.

You may not qualify if:

• Pneumonectomy surgeries
• Having a cardiac, orthopedic, neurological or systemic disease that would prevent exercise
• Having mental, communication or behavioral disorders that would cause problems in understanding commands and questions or performing exercises.
• Participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program before surgery
• Having been hospitalized for any pulmonary disease during the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bezmialem Vakif University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise; Standard of Care

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Quality of Health Care; Health Services Administration; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physiotherapist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2025
• First Posted: August 21, 2025
• Study Start: August 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 10, 2025
• Last Updated: August 21, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08