Expiratory (breathing-out) muscle strength and health outcomes in bronchiectasis

Effect of Expiratory Muscle Strength on Hospital Admission, Disease Severity and Quality of Life in Patients With Bronchiectasis

Observational Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi · NCT07104942

This project tests whether weaker expiratory (breathing-out) muscles are linked to worse symptoms, more hospital visits, and lower quality of life in adults with non‑cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment64 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorSaglik Bilimleri Universitesi Academic / other
Locations1 site (Istanbul)
Trial IDNCT07104942 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will measure expiratory muscle strength in adults with non‑cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and relate those measurements to clinical outcomes including disease severity, history of hospital admissions, cough effectiveness, and quality of life. Participants aged 18–65 without an acute infection will undergo respiratory muscle testing and clinical data collection. The study is conducted at a single chest diseases center in Istanbul and will use the findings to explore whether expiratory muscle weakness contributes to impaired airway clearance. Results are intended to inform future interventional research in pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory muscle training.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with a confirmed diagnosis of non‑cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis who are not experiencing an acute infection at the time of assessment are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with cystic fibrosis, active respiratory infection, pregnancy, myopathies, recent stroke, or unstable cardiac disease are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If expiratory muscle weakness is identified as a contributor to worse outcomes, targeted physiotherapy or respiratory muscle training could be developed to improve cough effectiveness, symptoms, and possibly reduce hospitalizations.

How similar studies have performed: Respiratory muscle training has shown benefits in other chronic lung diseases, but clear evidence specifically linking expiratory muscle strength to outcomes in bronchiectasis is limited and this application is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Having a diagnosis of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
* Without an acute infection at the time of assessment (confirmed by medical history, serum C-reactive protein levels, chest X-ray and/or HRCT).
* Being between 18 and 65 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

* Myopathies
* Stroke (Cerebrovascular accident - CVA)
* Pregnancy
* Unstable cardiac disease

Where this trial is running

Istanbul

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions BronchiectasisExpiratory muscle strength
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.