Respiratory Physiotherapy and PMR After Cardiac Surgery

NCT07542691 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: AYU-PT-2026-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 116
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of respiratory physiotherapy combined with progressive muscle relaxation exercises on dyspnea, anxiety, hemodynamic status, and delirium symptoms in patients after cardiac surgery. This randomized controlled trial will include 116 patients who will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive respiratory physiotherapy and progressive muscle relaxation exercises in addition to routine postoperative care for 30 minutes per day over three consecutive days, while the control group will receive routine care only. Outcome measures will include dyspnea assessed by the Modified Borg Scale, anxiety assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, hemodynamic parameters obtained from vital signs, and delirium symptoms assessed using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale. It is hypothesized that the combined intervention will reduce dyspnea and anxiety levels, improve hemodynamic stability, and decrease delirium symptoms. The findings are expected to contribute to improved postoperative recovery and reduced complication risks following cardiac surgery.

Conditions

Cardiac Surgery; Dyspnea; Anxiety; Delirium

Keywords

Respiratory Physiotherapy; Progressive Muscle Relaxation; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Postoperative Care; Intensive Care Unit; Hemodynamic Parameters

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Dyspnea (Modified Borg Scale)

  Dyspnea severity will be assessed using the Modified Borg Scale (MBS). The scale ranges from 0 (no dyspnea) to 10 (maximal dyspnea). Higher scores indicate greater perceived breathlessness. Measurements will be performed by a trained assessor under standardized conditions.

  Within the first 24 hours after cardiac surgery (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same day)

Study Arms (2)

Routine Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive routine postoperative care and standard cardiac rehabilitation without additional respiratory physiotherapy or progressive muscle relaxation exercises.

Other: Routine Care

Respiratory Physiotherapy + PMR

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive respiratory physiotherapy techniques, including breathing exercises, postural drainage, percussion, and vibration, combined with progressive muscle relaxation exercises in addition to routine postoperative care. The intervention will be applied for 30 minutes per day over three consecutive days following cardiac surgery.

Other: Respiratory Physiotherapy; Other: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Interventions

Respiratory Physiotherapy OTHER

Respiratory physiotherapy includes breathing exercises, postural drainage, percussion, and vibration techniques aimed at improving pulmonary function, facilitating secretion clearance, and enhancing oxygenation in postoperative cardiac surgery patients.

Respiratory Physiotherapy + PMR

Progressive Muscle Relaxation OTHER

Progressive muscle relaxation is a systematic technique involving sequential contraction and relaxation of muscle groups combined with controlled breathing, aimed at reducing anxiety, improving psychological well-being, and promoting physiological relaxation.

Respiratory Physiotherapy + PMR

Routine Care OTHER

Standard postoperative care and routine cardiac rehabilitation without additional respiratory physiotherapy or progressive muscle relaxation exercises.

Routine Care

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged 18-80 years who have undergone cardiac surgery
• Hemodynamically stable patients
• Patients able to cooperate and follow instructions
• Patients with postoperative dyspnea
• Patients who provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with severe cognitive impairment or inability to cooperate
• Patients with neurological or psychiatric disorders affecting participation
• Patients requiring mechanical ventilation for prolonged periods
• Patients with unstable hemodynamic status
• Patients with contraindications to respiratory physiotherapy or exercise
• Patients who refuse to participate

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Aydın University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dyspnea; Anxiety Disorders; Delirium

Interventions

Autogenic Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Confusion; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hypnosis; Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Central Study Contacts

Fatma Cavdarcı, PhD Candidate

CONTACT

+905374590918; cvdrcftm@gmail.com

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: Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups: an intervention group receiving respiratory physiotherapy and progressive muscle relaxation exercises in addition to routine care, and a control group receiving routine postoperative care only.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 9, 2026
• First Posted: April 21, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share