Brain and thigh muscle oxygen levels during different exercises in people with COPD
Brain and Peripheral Muscle Oxygenation in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
This project will test whether different exercises change brain and thigh muscle oxygen levels in people with moderate-to-severe COPD compared with similar healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT07285642 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This non-randomized controlled study compares people aged 40–70 with moderate-to-severe COPD to age- and sex-matched healthy controls during a single standardized pulmonary rehabilitation session. Researchers will continuously record prefrontal cortex oxygenation with fNIRS and vastus lateralis muscle oxygenation with NIRS at rest, during a Stroop cognitive task, the six-minute walk test, and during aerobic, strengthening, and breathing exercises. The protocol includes treadmill walking, upper and lower limb resistance training, and breathing exercises, with measurements taken during exercise and recovery. The aim is to characterize how brain and muscle oxygenation responses differ by disease status and exercise type to help guide safer, individualized rehab programs.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 40–70 years old with stable moderate-to-severe COPD (GOLD II–III), BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m², manual muscle strength ≥4, able to perform exercise tests safely, and not enrolled in an exercise program within the past 12 months.
Not a fit: Patients with uncontrolled cardiac, neurological, or orthopedic disease, need for high-flow oxygen (>2 L/min), recent COPD exacerbation, prior cerebrovascular disease, other significant lung disease, skin/musculoskeletal issues at sensor sites, or inability to perform the exercises or travel to the center are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could help clinicians design safer, individualized pulmonary rehabilitation plans that keep brain and muscle oxygenation within safer ranges during exercise.
How similar studies have performed: fNIRS and NIRS have been used successfully in neurology and exercise physiology, but applying these techniques to COPD and pulmonary rehabilitation is relatively novel and less well studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria * Age 40-70 years * Diagnosis of moderate-to-severe COPD (GOLD stage II-III) * Stable disease (no exacerbation in previous 4 weeks) * BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m² * Manual muscle strength ≥ 4 (MRC scale) * Ability to perform exercise tests safely * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria * Severe comorbid conditions (uncontrolled cardiac, neurological, or orthopedic disease) * Need for high-flow oxygen therapy (\>2 L/min) * History of cerebrovascular disease or transient ischemic attack * Musculoskeletal or dermatological conditions impairing NIRS measurement sites * Restrictive lung disease, interstitial lung disease, or small-airway disease * Participation in an exercise program within the last 12 months Healthy Controls * Age 40-70 years * No acute or chronic disease * Non-smoker * BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m² * No musculoskeletal limitations
Where this trial is running
Istanbul
- Esra Pehlivan — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Esra Pehlivan
- Email: esra.pehlivan@sbu.edu.tr
- Phone: +90216 777 87 77
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.