Electrical diaphragm stimulation plus active breathing exercises for COPD

Combined Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Diaphragmatic Stimulation With ACBT's in COPD

This project tests whether adding gentle electrical stimulation of the diaphragm to active breathing exercises helps people aged 40–60 with mild to moderate COPD.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Riphah International University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province)
• Trial ID: NCT07079553 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial at Gulab Devi Hospital in Lahore enrolled 50 adults aged 40–60 with mild to moderate COPD and assigned them to either transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation (TEDS) plus active cycle of breathing techniques (ACBT) or ACBT alone. The interventions were delivered over 12 weeks and outcomes included lung function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC), oxygen saturation, the 6-minute walk test, and quality of life measured by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Both groups showed statistically significant improvements across several measures, but the ACBT-alone group showed a slightly higher mean rank on some outcomes. The investigators concluded that while both approaches are beneficial, ACBT alone may offer more consistent improvements and recommended further work including respiratory muscle assessments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 40–60 with mild to moderate COPD, a productive cough for more than two months, resting oxygen saturation >88%, who are non-smokers and do not have uncontrolled cardiac disease or hypertension would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with severe COPD, active smokers, uncontrolled hypertension, significant cardiac disease, or those who require supplemental oxygen are unlikely to benefit from these specific interventions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non-drug way to improve breathing, exercise capacity, and quality of life for people with mild to moderate COPD.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown benefits from ACBT and from diaphragmatic stimulation when used separately, but combining them has been less studied and this randomized trial found both approaches helped with a slight advantage for ACBT alone.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* COPD (Mild to Moderate)
* Age: 40-60 years of both genders
* Productive cough for more than 2 months
* Oxygen saturation without Oxygen supply \> 88%

Exclusion Criteria:

* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Cardiac diseases
* Active smokers

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab Province

• Arjumand — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Arjumand Bano, MS-CPPT — Riphah International University
• Study coordinator: imran amjad, phd

Conditions: COPD, COPD, TEDS, ACBT, transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation, Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques.