Instrumental respiratory physiotherapy for patients struggling to wean off ventilators

Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Impact of Intensive, Instrumental and Early Respiratory Physiotherapy on Peak Expiratory Flow in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With ICU-acquired Muscle Weakness

Not applicable Interventional Hospices Civils de Lyon · NCT06499389

This study tests if a new type of breathing therapy can help patients who have trouble getting off ventilators feel better and cough stronger than with regular therapy.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHospices Civils de Lyon Academic / other
Locations3 sites (Lyon, France and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06499389 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of an early and systematic instrumental respiratory physiotherapy approach in patients who are difficult to wean off mechanical ventilation and have developed ICU-acquired neuromyopathy. The intervention aims to improve cough strength, measured by peak expiratory flow (PEF), compared to standard respiratory physiotherapy. By enhancing cough strength, the study seeks to reduce the risk of reintubation and improve patient outcomes during the weaning process from mechanical ventilation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 who have been on invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours and have failed at least one weaning test.

Not a fit: Patients with recent brain injuries, chronic neuromuscular pathologies, or those under continuous sedation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the weaning process for critically ill patients, reducing mortality and complications associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study may be novel, similar studies have shown that enhancing cough strength can improve outcomes in patients with respiratory challenges.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient 18 years or more, affiliated to a social security system
* Patients on invasive mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more
* Failure of at least one mechanical ventilation weaning test (spontaneous breathing trial, SBT)
* First successful SBT on the day of eligibility assessment
* Medical Research Council (MRC) score \< 48 and/or cough strength ≤ 2 on the 6-point Likert scale

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent brain injury (\< 3 months, stroke, cardiopulmonary arrest)
* Delirium tremens (Cushman score \> 7)
* Chronic neuromuscular pathology
* Patient under continuous intravenous sedation
* Patient unresponsive to simple commands and Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) score \< -2 or \> +1
* FiO2: Inspired Oxygen Fraction\> 50%, percutaneous, O2: oxygen saturation \< 88%, positive end-expiratory pressure \> 5 centimeter of water (cmH2O) or respiratory rate ≥ 35 min-1
* Vasopressor catecholamine at a dose \> 0.5 μg/kg/min
* Tracheostomized patient
* Undrained pneumothorax
* Pulmonary emphysema (identified as antecedent in medical record)
* Uncontrolled hemoptysis
* Surgery \< 3 months of esophagus and/or the ear, nose and throat (ENT) sphere
* Pregnancy or lactating
* Patient deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision
* Patient under guardianship or curatorship
* Patient already included in the same study or in another study sharing the same primary endpoint

Where this trial is running

Lyon, France and 2 other locations

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 Ventilator Weaningcritical caremechanical ventilationventilatory weaningpeak cough expiratory flowcough strengthmechanical coughextubation
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.