Active breathing plus balloon-blowing for children with tuberculosis
Official title: Effects of the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique With and Without Balloon Blowing Therapy on Sputum Secretion, Dyspnea, and Functional Capacity in Children With Tuberculosis
Run by Riphah International University · NCT07484490 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether adding balloon-blowing exercises to the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique helps children aged 8–14 with tuberculosis clear sputum, reduce breathlessness, and walk farther.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 8 Years to 14 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 34 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 29, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 12, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07484490 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 8–14 years with diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis who have excess airway secretions, can follow verbal commands, and whose parent or guardian can give informed consent are the ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with multi-drug-resistant TB, active hemoptysis, unconsciousness or inability to follow commands, or who received physical therapy in the past two weeks are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a randomized controlled trial enrolling 34 children (ages 8–14) with pulmonary tuberculosis at Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital in Lahore. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) alone or ACBT combined with balloon-blowing therapy over a 3-day intervention period. Outcomes include sputum volume measured with sputum cups, dyspnea measured by the Modified Borg scale, and functional capacity measured by the 6-Minute Walk Test, with data analyzed using SPSS v25. The trial focuses on short-term physiotherapy effects on airway clearance and exercise capacity in pediatric TB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combined therapy could provide a low-cost, noninvasive way to improve mucus clearance, reduce breathlessness, and increase functional walking capacity in children with tuberculosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows ACBT and balloon therapy can separately help airway clearance and respiratory muscle strength, but their combined use in pediatric tuberculosis is novel and not well established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria 1. Children aged 8 to14 years 2. Diagnosed with tuberculosis 3. Patients with excessive pulmonary secretions and/or difficulty clearing airway secretions. 4. Adequate cognitive ability to understand and follow verbal commands and perform ACBT. 5. Informed consent from parent/guardian Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosed with multi-drug-resistant (MDR) TB 2. Presence of hemoptysis 3. The patient who is unconscious and unresponsive. 4. Received physical therapy intervention in the past 2 weeks
Where it's running
-
Gulab Devi Hospital
Lahore, Pakistan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nayab shahid, MS-PT — Riphah Internatinaal University
- Study coordinator: IMRAN AMJAD, PhD
- Email: IMRAN.AMJAD@RIPHAH.EDU.PK
- Phone: 9233224390125
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.