Examining the Effectiveness of Single-Limb Exercise Training for COPD Patients During Exacerbation Periods

NCT07348003 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: GurbuzTez
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Resistance exercise applications during acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are employed to enhance functional capacity and prevent muscle atrophy by increasing muscle strength. Owing to the limited cardiorespiratory reserve of COPD patients, single-limb exercises are better tolerated compared to traditional bilateral exercises. A study conducted by Vogiatzis et al. (2009) indicated that single-leg exercises require lower ventilation and result in more efficient oxygen consumption than bilateral exercises. This physiological advantage may be effective in reducing muscle weakness by increasing exercise endurance in COPD patients with restricted respiratory capacity. The present study aims to demonstrate that single-limb resistance exercise is an effective rehabilitation method for increasing functional exercise capacity in patients during COPD exacerbations compared to a control group. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of single-limb resistance exercises on dyspnea perception, fatigue, anxiety, and depression will be established. The study will also show that these exercises are both feasible and safe within rehabilitation protocols during the exacerbation period.

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease Exacerbated

Keywords

copd; exacerbated; exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• 1. Functional Exercise Capacity

  30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (30-sec STS): Functional capacity will be assessed using a chair with a height of 43.2 cm and back support. Patients, with arms crossed over their chests, will be instructed to complete as many full stands as possible within 30 seconds. Two practice trials will be performed before recording the final count.

  Up to 8 weeks

• Dyspnea

  Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Scale: Dyspnea perception during daily activities will be recorded. The five levels of the scale will be explained in detail to the participants to determine their perceived respiratory distress

  Up to 8 weeks

• Muscle Strength Assessment

  Muscle strength will be measured using a digital dynamometer (Commander Echo Manual Muscle Tester, Lafayette Instrument Co., USA). The best of three consecutive measurements will be recorded

  Up to 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Respiratory Muscle Strength

  Up to 8 weeks

• Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

  Up to 8 weeks

• Anxiety and Depression

  Up to 8 weeks

• Functional Exercise Capacity

  Up to 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Exercise group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Single-Limb Resistance Exercise Group: Participants will perform unilateral resistance exercises for six major muscle groups (shoulder flex/abd, elbow flex, hip flex, knee flex/ext) using free weights in a seated position.

Other: Single Limb Exercise Training; Other: Routine Exercise

Control Group

OTHER

Routine Physiotherapy Intervention: The control group will undergo standard inpatient physiotherapy, including breathing retraining (diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing) and thoracic expansion exercises.

Other: Routine Exercise

Interventions

Single Limb Exercise Training OTHER

Participants will perform unilateral resistance exercises for six major muscle groups (shoulder flex/abd, elbow flex, hip flex, knee flex/ext) using free weights in a seated position. The intensity is set at 50-70% of 1RM, consisting of 2 sets of 8 repetitions per limb. This 8-week program will be conducted twice weekly as an adjunct to routine hospital physiotherapy and standard inpatient physiotherapy, including breathing retraining (diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing) and thoracic expansion exercises.

Exercise group

Routine Exercise OTHER

Physiotherapy Intervention: Just standard inpatient physiotherapy, including breathing retraining (diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing) and thoracic expansion exercises.

Control Group; Exercise group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Hospital admission due to an acute COPD exacerbation.
• Not currently enrolled in an active pulmonary rehabilitation program.
• Absence of any additional neurological disorders.

You may not qualify if:

• Heart failure classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV. Unstable mental status (indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 24).
• History of major surgery within the last three months. Presence of malignancies.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alper Kemal Gürbüz: lead

Study Sites (1)

Alper Kemal Gürbüz

Ankara, Ankara, 06300, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

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: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: research assistant

Model Details: This study is an interventional clinical trial designed to evaluate the effects of an exercise therapy program. Participants will be prospectively assigned to one of two study arms: an intervention group and a control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 29, 2025
• First Posted: January 16, 2026
• Study Start: March 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 25, 2027
• Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)