Balloon blowing versus bubble PEP to improve breathing and oxygen in children with pneumonia
Comparative Effects of Balloon Blowing Therapy and Bubble PEP on Oxygen Saturation, Dyspnea, and Perceived Enjoyment in Children With Pneumonia
This project tests whether balloon blowing or bubble PEP improves oxygen levels, reduces breathlessness, and is more enjoyable for children aged 6–12 with pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07578870 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized comparison will enroll 40 children aged 6–12 with pneumonia and randomly assign them to Balloon Blowing Therapy or Bubble PEP Therapy alongside baseline breathing techniques. Interventions are delivered twice daily for five consecutive days, with outcomes measured over one week. Primary measures include peripheral oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter, reported dyspnea, and child-reported enjoyment. Recruitment occurs at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore using purposive sampling and supervised treatment sessions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Children aged 6–12 years with clinical pneumonia, peripheral SpO2 under 94%, self-reported dyspnea, medically stable, and able to follow breathing instructions are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Critically ill children on mechanical ventilation or BiPAP, those intubated or uncooperative, patients with contraindications to PEP (for example severe haemoptysis), or recent oral surgery are unlikely to benefit from these interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these low-cost, easy-to-teach breathing exercises could raise oxygen saturation, ease breathing, and make supportive care more child-friendly, especially in resource-limited settings.
How similar studies have performed: Similar PEP and blowing techniques have shown benefit for airway clearance and lung function in other pediatric respiratory conditions, but randomized evidence specifically in pediatric pneumonia is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 6 to 12 years * Medically stable and cleared to perform breathing exercises * Both genders will be included * Presence of dyspnea according to the patient's statement * Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) \<94% Exclusion Criteria: * Children who are critically ill patients on bi-pep or a ventilator, as well as patients who were intubated and uncooperative * Children with any oral surgery * Participants were excluded from the study, if they had any contraindication to the use PEP therapy (severe haemoptysis) * Refusal to participate or inability to complete full sessions
Where this trial is running
Lahore, Punjab Province
- Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mahnoor ikram, MS-PT — Riphah International University
- Study coordinator: Imran Amjad, Phd
- Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
- Phone: 923224390125
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.