Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing Versus Incentive Spirometry After Thoracic Surgery

NCT07867548 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: FJUH115610
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled pilot study will compare intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) with incentive spirometry (IS) in adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery. The study aims to evaluate the effects of these two postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation interventions on lung volume recovery, respiratory muscle strength, oxygenation, pulmonary complications, and overall postoperative recovery. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the IPPB group or the IS group. Assessments will be performed before surgery and after the intervention period.

Conditions

Postoperative Pulmonary Complications; Thoracic Surgery

Keywords

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing; Incentive Spirometry; Thoracic Surgery; Postoperative Pulmonary Complications; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Lung Volume; Respiratory Muscle Strength

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Lung Volume

  Change in lung volume, including tidal volume and minute ventilation, measured using a respiratory volume measurement device.

  Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative day 3

• Change in Maximal Inspiratory Pressure

  Change in maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) measured using a respiratory pressure measurement device to assess inspiratory muscle strength.

  Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative day 3

• Change in Maximal Expiratory Pressure

  Change in maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) measured using a respiratory pressure measurement device to assess expiratory muscle strength.

  Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative day 3

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in C-Reactive Protein

  Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative day 3

Study Arms (2)

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this group will receive intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) as the postoperative lung expansion intervention from postoperative day 0 through postoperative day 3.

Other: Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing

Incentive Spirometry Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this group will perform postoperative lung expansion training using incentive spirometry from postoperative day 0 through postoperative day 3.

Other: Incentive Spirometry

Interventions

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing OTHER

Intermittent positive pressure breathing will be provided as a postoperative lung expansion intervention from postoperative day 0 through postoperative day 3.

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing Group

Incentive Spirometry OTHER

Participants will perform incentive spirometry from postoperative day 0 through postoperative day 3 under therapist supervision 3 to 4 times per day. Each supervised session will consist of 3 sets of 10 slow, deep inspirations, with a 2- to 3-second inspiratory hold. Participants will also be encouraged to practice independently while awake.

Incentive Spirometry Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Willing and able to provide written informed consent. Adults aged 18 years or older. Undergoing thoracic surgery. Considered eligible by a specialist physician to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation training.

You may not qualify if:

• Unable to cooperate with the study procedures. Untreated pneumothorax. Severe hemodynamic instability. Active hemoptysis or gastrointestinal bleeding. Intracranial pressure greater than 15 mmHg. Recent facial, oropharyngeal, or cranial surgery or injury. Tracheoesophageal fistula. Recent esophageal surgery. Nausea or vomiting. Pulmonary bullae identified on imaging.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital: lead

Related Publications (3)

• Batchelor TJP, Rasburn NJ, Abdelnour-Berchtold E, Brunelli A, Cerfolio RJ, Gonzalez M, Ljungqvist O, Petersen RH, Popescu WM, Slinger PD, Naidu B. Guidelines for enhanced recovery after lung surgery: recommendations of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS(R)) Society and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS). Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2019 Jan 1;55(1):91-115. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezy301.

  PMID: 30304509 BACKGROUND

• Ludwig C, Angenendt S, Martins R, Mayer V, Stoelben E. Intermittent positive-pressure breathing after lung surgery. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2011 Feb;19(1):10-3. doi: 10.1177/0218492310394664.

  PMID: 21357311 BACKGROUND

• Agostini P, Naidu B, Cieslik H, Steyn R, Rajesh PB, Bishay E, Kalkat MS, Singh S. Effectiveness of incentive spirometry in patients following thoracotomy and lung resection including those at high risk for developing pulmonary complications. Thorax. 2013 Jun;68(6):580-5. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202785. Epub 2013 Feb 21.

  PMID: 23429831 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Intermittent Positive-Pressure Breathing

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Positive-Pressure Respiration; Respiration, Artificial; Airway Management; Therapeutics; Respiratory Therapy

Study Officials

• Shu-Hung Kuo, M.S.

  Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Shu-Hung Kuo, M.D.

CONTACT

+886-2-8512-8888; A05511@mail.fjuh.fju.edu.tw

Hui-Wen Hsu, M.S.

CONTACT

+886-2-8512-8888; 76wwocat@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned in parallel to either the intermittent positive pressure breathing group or the incentive spirometry group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 5, 2026
• First Posted: October 9, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): October 12, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Last Updated: October 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share