Manual chest wall vibration to help breathing and remove chest tubes after thoracic surgery

The Effect of Manual Chest Wall Vibration on Respiratory Functions and Chest Tube Duration in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery

Not applicable Interventional Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi · NCT07549555

This trial tests whether manual vibration of the chest wall helps clear secretions and shortens chest tube time for people recovering from thoracic surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSaglik Bilimleri Universitesi Academic / other
Locations1 site (Istanbul)
Trial IDNCT07549555 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The trial compares a manual chest wall vibration technique to conventional postoperative care in patients who have chest tubes after thoracic surgery. Hemodynamically stable, cooperative patients receive the manual vibration intervention while a control group receives standard respiratory exercises and routine care. Primary outcomes include duration of chest tube placement, measures of secretion clearance, and monitoring of hemodynamic parameters. The protocol notes that no prior studies have directly tested manual chest wall vibration in this specific patient group, so the approach is relatively novel.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are hemodynamically stable adults who have recently undergone thoracic surgery, currently have a chest tube, and can tolerate and cooperate with manual chest wall vibration.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cardiac instability, active pneumonia, cognitive or neurological impairment that prevents cooperation, or newly implanted transvenous/subcutaneous pacemakers would be excluded and are unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the technique could speed removal of chest tubes and improve airway clearance, potentially shortening recovery and hospital stay.

How similar studies have performed: The protocol states that a literature review found no prior studies of manual chest wall vibration in patients with chest tubes, although other chest physiotherapy methods have been used with mixed results in related postoperative populations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Having undergone thoracic surgery
* Having a chest tube in the postoperative period
* Being hemodynamically stable
* Agreeing to participate in the study
* Being open to communication and cooperation

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe cardiac instability
* Patients unable to tolerate the procedure due to neurological or cognitive impairment
* Clinical conditions that would prevent the application of vibration to the chest wall
* Patients diagnosed with pneumonia
* Patients with a newly implanted transvenous or subcutaneous pacemaker

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 Thoracic DiseasesThoracic surgeryChest tubesChest wall oscillationPhysical therapy modalitiesPostoperative careAirway Clearance Techniques
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.