Physiotherapy in Thoracic Discopathy

NCT07749248 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: MedipolU-51BFBC56XA
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background and Objective: Information regarding the effects of physiotherapy on quality of life and alterations in pulmonary function tests among patients with thoracic discopathy is notably limited in the literature. This study aims to compare the effects of the classical physiotherapy approach and the addition of breathing exercises to classical physiotherapy on quality of life and respiratory function tests in patients with thoracic discopathy. Study Design and Methods: This controlled and randomized study includes 40 patients diagnosed with thoracic discopathy. Participants are divided into two groups. The first group undergoes 15 sessions of classical physiotherapy consisting of ultrasound, TENS, hot packs, and posture exercises. The second group receives the same classical physiotherapy program with the addition of respiratory exercises. The patients' disability, psychosocial well-being, and pulmonary function are assessed using standardized scales and questionnaires at baseline (pre-treatment) and after the 15-session intervention (post-treatment).

Conditions

Thoracic Discopathy; Back Pain; Respiratory Dysfunction

Keywords

Physiotherapy; Breathing Exercises; Pulmonary Function Tests; Psychosocial Well-Being; Quality of Life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1)

  FEV1 measures the volume of air forcefully exhaled in the first second of a forced exhalation, assessed via spirometry. The unit of measure is Liters (L). A higher value indicates better pulmonary function.

  Baseline (before treatment) and immediately after the completion of the 15-session physiotherapy program.

• Change in 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) Physical Functioning Score

  The SF-36 questionnaire assesses health-related quality of life. The physical functioning subscale evaluates limitations in performing physical activities. The score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher scores represent better physical functioning and a higher quality of life.

  Baseline (before treatment) and immediately after the completion of the 15-session physiotherapy program

• Change in Resting Pain Intensity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Pain intensity at rest is evaluated using a visual analog scale. The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents the "worst imaginable pain". A lower score indicates a reduction in pain intensity and clinical improvement.

  Baseline (before treatment) and immediately after the completion of the 15-session physiotherapy program.

• Change in FEV1/FVC Ratio Percentage

  The ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) to Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), expressed as a percentage (%). This is measured via spirometry to assess airflow limitation. A higher percentage generally indicates better respiratory capacity.

  Baseline (before treatment) and immediately after the completion of the 15-session physiotherapy program.

Study Arms (2)

Only Physiotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients in this group underwent 15 sessions of traditional physiotherapy consisting of ultrasound, TENS, hot packs, and posture exercises.

Other: Traditional Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy and Breathing Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients in this group participated in a breathing exercise program in addition to undergoing the same 15 sessions of traditional physiotherapy procedures (ultrasound, TENS, hot packs, and posture exercises).

Other: Traditional Physiotherapy; Other: Breathing Exercise

Interventions

Traditional Physiotherapy OTHER

Application of 15 sessions of ultrasound, TENS, hot packs, and posture exercises.

Only Physiotherapy; Physiotherapy and Breathing Exercise

Breathing Exercise OTHER

Implementation of a respiratory exercise program.

Physiotherapy and Breathing Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 68 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Clinical diagnosis of thoracic discopathy
• Planned to receive physiotherapy as part of their treatment

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with pre-existing respiratory system abnormalities
• Participants with a disease affecting the rib cage

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medipol University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Medipol University Pendik Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Back Pain; Dyspnea

Interventions

Breathing Exercises

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The study was designed as single-blinded; the researcher responsible for conducting the pre- and post-treatment clinical questionnaires and pulmonary assessments was blinded to the patients' group allocation to minimize detection bias.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof. Dr.

Model Details: A total of 40 eligible patients with thoracic discopathy were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two parallel groups: one group received traditional physiotherapy alone, and the other group received traditional physiotherapy combined with a respiratory exercise program

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2026
• First Posted: August 6, 2026
• Study Start: November 20, 2020
• Primary Completion: February 18, 2021
• Study Completion: March 20, 2021
• Last Updated: August 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Locations

TU (1)