Cardiopulmonary exercises for children with pectus excavatum
The Effectiveness of Cardiopulmonary Exercise in Children With Pectus Excavatum: A Single-Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial
This trial will try hospital-based and home cardiopulmonary exercises to see if they improve breathing, exercise tolerance, and posture in children aged 5–18 with pectus excavatum.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 5 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ankara Etlik City Hospital Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara, Yenimahalle) |
| Trial ID | NCT07300748 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Children with pectus excavatum aged 5–18 who are receiving conservative treatment will follow a program of supervised cardiopulmonary exercises at the hospital combined with pulmonary and posture exercises performed at home. Outcomes measured include respiratory function tests, exercise tolerance, and postural assessments before and after the intervention. Excluded are children with known cardiac disease, syndromic conditions, significant scoliosis (Cobb angle ≥10°), mixed deformity, or those already indicated for surgery. The protocol aims to determine whether a structured rehabilitation program can produce measurable functional and postural benefits without surgery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 5–18 with pectus excavatum who are already receiving conservative treatment (vacuum orthosis or exercises) and whose families consent to participate.
Not a fit: Children with cardiac disease, syndromic conditions, significant scoliosis (Cobb ≥10°), mixed deformities, or those who already require surgical correction are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve breathing, fitness, and posture and reduce the need for surgery or invasive intervention in some children.
How similar studies have performed: Small nonrandomized and rehabilitation-based reports have shown modest improvements in posture and exercise capacity with targeted exercises, but high-quality randomized evidence for this specific approach is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Children aged 5-18 years with pectus excavatum deformity 2. Children undergoing conservative treatment (vacuum orthosis, exercise) 3. Patients whose families have signed a consent form agreeing to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: 1. Known cardiac disease 2. Presence of an additional syndrome (Marfan syndrome, etc.) 3. Cobb angle ≥10° 4. Refusal to participate in the study 5. Presence of mixed deformity (pectus arcuatum) 6. Those with an indication for surgery
Where this trial is running
Ankara, Yenimahalle
- Ankara Etlik City Hospital — Ankara, Yenimahalle, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ayşe Naz Kalem Özgen, specialist
- Email: kalemnaz@gmail.com
- Phone: +90 0312 797 00 00
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.