Comparative Effects of Buteyko Versus Pilates Breathing Combined With McKenzie Neck Exercises on Lung Function and Chest Expansion in Asthmatic Patients With Forward Head Posture

NCT07289789 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: FUI/CTR/2025/94
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and hyperinflation that flattens the diaphragm and increases reliance on accessory neck muscles. Chronic overuse shortens these muscles and promotes forward head posture (FHP), which in turn compromises rib-cage motion and respiratory mechanics. Correcting FHP alongside breathing retraining may therefore improve lung function and symptoms in asthma. This interventional, parallel-group study investigates the combined effects of McKenzie neck exercises with two different breathing approaches on lung function, chest expansion, posture, and quality of life in adults with asthma. Participants are allocated to two groups for a 4-week program: Group A performs McKenzie neck exercises plus Pilates-based breathing; Group B performs McKenzie neck exercises plus Buteyko breathing.

Conditions

Asthma

Keywords

Breathing exercises; Respiratory Function Test; Chest Expansion; Mckenzie Neck Exercises

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Chest Expansion

  Description: Chest expansion will be measured in centimeters using a standard measuring tape at the level of the 4th intercostal space.

  4 weeks

• Lung Functions

  Lung function will be assessed using a spirometer. The parameters recorded will be FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second), FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) and FEV1/FVC ratio.

  04 weeks

Study Arms (2)

McKenzie neck exercises with Pilates-based breathing

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will perform McKenzie neck exercises in combination with Pilates-based breathing techniques, along with their usual pharmacological management for asthma. The program will run for 4 weeks with progressive intensity. McKenzie exercises will start with 5 repetitions per exercise in Weeks 1-2 and progress to 10 repetitions in Weeks 3-4. Pilates breathing will begin with 2 sets of 10 repetitions in Weeks 1-2, progress to 3 sets in Week 3, and 4 sets in Week 4.

Procedure: Pilates Breathing Combined with McKenzie Neck Exercises

McKenzie neck exercises with Buteyko breathing technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will perform McKenzie neck exercises in combination with Buteyko breathing techniques, along with their usual pharmacological management for asthma. The program will run for 4 weeks with progressive intensity. McKenzie exercises will start with 5 repetitions per exercise in Weeks 1-2 and progress to 10 repetitions in Weeks 3-4. Buteyko breathing will begin with 2 sets of 10 repetitions in Weeks 1-2, progress to 3 sets in Week 3, and 4 sets in Week 4.

Procedure: McKenzie Neck Exercises with Buteyko Breathing

Interventions

Pilates Breathing Combined with McKenzie Neck Exercises PROCEDURE

Participants in this group will undergo a four-week intervention program combining McKenzie neck exercises with Pilates-based breathing techniques. The McKenzie exercises will be performed at an intensity of five repetitions per exercise during the first two weeks, progressing to ten repetitions per exercise in the third and fourth weeks. Pilates breathing will begin with two sets of ten repetitions in the first and second weeks, progress to three sets of ten repetitions in the third week, and further increase to four sets of ten repetitions in the fourth week. The intervention will be carried out three days per week on alternate days.

McKenzie neck exercises with Pilates-based breathing

McKenzie Neck Exercises with Buteyko Breathing PROCEDURE

Participants in this group will undergo a four-week intervention program combining McKenzie neck exercises with Pilates-based breathing techniques. The McKenzie exercises will be performed at an intensity of five repetitions per exercise during the first two weeks, progressing to ten repetitions per exercise in the third and fourth weeks. Pilates breathing will begin with two sets of ten repetitions in the first and second weeks, progress to three sets of ten repetitions in the third week, and further increase to four sets of ten repetitions in the fourth week. The intervention will be carried out three days per week on alternate days

McKenzie neck exercises with Buteyko breathing technique

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age group 18-40years
• Both males and females
• Individuals clinically diagnosed with asthma that is well controlled (Level 1 and Level 2) with FHP
• Not participated in any structured exercise regime for improving lung function during the past 6 months.
• Individuals well tolerated with a current exercise plan of combination exercises. (Buteyko breathing/Pilate breathing and McKenzie neck exercises

You may not qualify if:

• Level 3 and 4 asthma or status asthmatics.
• Any congenital deformity of the chest wall
• Any active infections like fever, TB
• Those with any contraindication to exercise testing or training.
• Recent history of any chest wall trauma
• Any abdominal or cardio thoracic surgery
• Any psychiatric illness
• Unstable Cardiopulmonary disease i.e. unstable angina, heart failure, recent MI.
• Unstable hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure \>140mmhg systolic and \>90mmhg for diastolic
• Pregnancy
• Previous or parallel participation in interventional programs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University College of Physical Therapy, Islamabad, 44000

Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Asthma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bronchial Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Hypersensitivity; Immune System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Arzoo Bashir Awan, DPT

CONTACT

03215770272; arzoobashir66@gmail.com

Sana Bashir, MS-CPPT

CONTACT

03218529475; drsana.bashir@fui.edu.pk

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: September 12, 2025
• First Posted: December 17, 2025
• Study Start: August 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: December 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

PA (1)