Effect of Different Breathing Techniques on Dyspnea and Cardiopulmonary Parameters Among Patients After Open Heart Surgery

NCT07591987 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UOB-NUR-2026-03
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 99
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 3

Brief Summary

Open heart surgery is often associated with postoperative pulmonary complications, reduced lung expansion, dyspnea, and impaired cardiopulmonary function. Breathing exercises are commonly used after surgery to improve lung ventilation, enhance oxygenation, and support respiratory recovery. However, limited evidence is available comparing the effectiveness of segmental breathing exercises and active cycle breathing technique (ACBT) in patients after open heart surgery. This randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of segmental breathing exercises and ACBT on dyspnea and cardiopulmonary parameters in adults undergoing open heart surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the segmental breathing exercise group, the ACBT group, or the standard care group during the postoperative period following extubation. Cardiopulmonary parameters, including oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as dyspnea severity and postoperative pulmonary complications, will be assessed before and after the interventions. The findings of this study may help identify the most effective breathing exercise technique for improving respiratory outcomes, reducing postoperative pulmonary complications, and supporting evidence-based postoperative rehabilitation after cardiac surgery.

Conditions

Dyspnea; Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction; Coronary Artery Disease; Postoperative Respiratory Dysfunction

Keywords

Open Heart Surgery; Cardiac Surgery; Breathing Exercises; Segmental Breathing Exercises; Active Cycle Breathing Technique; Postoperative Patients; Adult Patients; Dyspnea; Cardiopulmonary Parameters

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

  Assessment of peripheral oxygen saturation in patients after open heart surgery undergoing breathing exercises (segmental breathing exercises or active cycle breathing technique)

  Measurements will be obtained at baseline pre-intervention, 1 hour post-intervention, and 6 hours post-intervention during hospital stay

• Respiratory Rate

  Assessment of respiratory rate in patients after open heart surgery undergoing breathing exercises.

  Measurements will be obtained at baseline pre-intervention,1 hour post-intervention, and 6 hours post-intervention

• Heart Rate

  Assessment of heart rate in patients after open heart surgery undergoing breathing exercises.

  Measurements will be obtained at baseline pre-intervention, 1 hour post-intervention, and 6 hours post-intervention during hospital stay

• Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure, and Pulse Pressure

  Assessment of Systolic Blood Pressure Pulse Pressure, and Diastolic Blood Pressure in patients after open heart surgery undergoing breathing exercises.

  Measurements will be obtained at baseline pre-intervention, 1 hour post-intervention, and 6 hours post-intervention during hospital stay

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Dyspnea Index

  measur at baseline pre-intervention and post-intervention after 6 hours.

Other Outcomes (1)

• Mean Arterial Pressure

  Measurements will be obtained at baseline pre-intervention, 1 hour post-intervention, and 6 hours post-intervention during hospital stay

Study Arms (3)

Segmental Breathing Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients receive segmental breathing exercises after open heart surgery to improve lung expansion and cardiopulmonary function

Behavioral: Segmental Breathing Exercises

Active Cycle Breathing Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients receive active cycle breathing technique (ACBT) after open heart surgery to enhance airway clearance and improve respiratory function.

Behavioral: Active Cycle Breathing Technique

Standard Postoperative Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients receive routine postoperative care without structured breathing exercise interventions.

Other: Standard postoperative care

Interventions

Segmental Breathing Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Deep breathing exercises focusing on specific lung segments to improve ventilation, lung expansion, and oxygenation in post open heart surgery patients.

Segmental Breathing Exercises

Active Cycle Breathing Technique BEHAVIORAL

A combination of breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises, and forced expiration technique to improve airway clearance and lung function.

Active Cycle Breathing Technique

Standard postoperative care OTHER

Participants will receive routine postoperative care according to institutional protocols following cardiac surgery. This includes standard medical and nursing management such as oxygen therapy, pain control, monitoring of vital signs, and mobilization as tolerated, without additional structured respiratory physiotherapy interventions.

Standard Postoperative Care

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-75 years.
• Scheduled for elective open-heart surgery.
• Can understand instructions and perform Segmental breathing and Active cycle breathing techniques.
• Stable preoperative hemodynamic condition.

You may not qualify if:

• Emergency cardiac surgeries.
• Patients with pre-existing severe pulmonary disease (e.g., COPD, asthma, restrictive lung disease, Atelectasis, and Tuberculosis).
• Neurological disorders affecting breathing effort.
• Patients with rib fractures, recent thoracic trauma, or contraindications for coughing maneuvers.
• Inability to provide informed consent (cognitive impairment, language barrier).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Baghdad: lead

Study Sites (3)

Ibn Al-Bitar Specialized Hospital for Cardiac Surgery

Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, 10001, Iraq

RECRUITING

Iraqi Center for Heart Diseases

Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, 10001, Iraq

RECRUITING

Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba Hospital

Karbala, Kerbala Governorate, 56001, Iraq

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• Salehi Derakhtanjani A, Ansari Jaberi A, Haydari S, Negahban Bonabi T. Comparison the Effect of Active Cyclic Breathing Technique and Routine Chest Physiotherapy on Pain and Respiratory Parameters After Coronary Artery Graft Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Anesth Pain Med. 2019 Oct 16;9(5):e94654. doi: 10.5812/aapm.94654. eCollection 2019 Oct.

  PMID: 31903332 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Comparison the effect of active cyclic breathing technique and routine chest physiotherapy on pain and respiratory parameters after coronary artery graft surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dyspnea; Coronary Artery Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Coronary Disease; Myocardial Ischemia; Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Vascular Diseases

Study Officials

• Wafaa Abd Ali Hattab, Assist prof

  College of Nursing , University of Baghdad

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Muslim Aqeel Essa, Master Student

CONTACT

+9647822218483; muslim.eesa2402m@conursing.uobaghdad.edu.iq

Rusul Khalid Kadhim, Master Student

CONTACT

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: Principal Investigator

Model Details: participants will be randomly assigned into intervention groups receiving segmental breathing exercises and another receiving active cycle breathing techniques compare to control group after open heart surgery to evaluate their effects on dyspnea and cardiopulmonary parameters.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2026
• First Posted: May 18, 2026
• Study Start: January 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 10, 2026
• Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IR (3)