Postural drainage with or without gentle chest squeezing for preterm infants with RDS

Immediate Effects of Postural Drainage With or Without Thoracic Squeezing on Oxygen Saturation and Respiratory Rate in Children With Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

NA · Riphah International University · NCT07579013

This trial tests whether adding gentle thoracic squeezing to postural drainage helps improve oxygen levels and breathing in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment14 (estimated)
Ages1 Month to 2 Months
SexAll
SponsorRiphah International University (other)
Locations1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province)
Trial IDNCT07579013 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

In a randomized comparison at a single center, 14 preterm infants born by cesarean section with respiratory distress syndrome were assigned to receive either standard postural drainage or postural drainage combined with a lung squeezing technique (LST). LST involves brief, gentle, sustained chest wall pressure followed by full release to promote mucus movement and deeper inhalation. Immediate effects on oxygenation and respiratory distress were measured using the Oxygen Saturation Index and the Silverman-Anderson scale and analyzed in SPSS. Infants with genetic disorders, major congenital anomalies, neurotropic drug treatment, intraventricular hemorrhage, or seizures were excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Preterm infants diagnosed with RDS, born by cesarean section, without congenital malformations or genetic disorders and not receiving neurotropic drugs would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Infants with congenital cardiac or respiratory anomalies, genetic disorders, intraventricular hemorrhage, seizures, or those on neurotropic medications are unlikely to benefit or were excluded from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combined technique could provide quicker improvements in oxygen saturation and reduce signs of respiratory distress, potentially lowering short-term oxygen needs.

How similar studies have performed: Manual chest physiotherapy and positioning techniques have shown mixed and mostly short-term benefits in small studies, and evidence specific to thoracic squeezing in preterm RDS is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* ● Children diagnosed with RDS.

  * Pre term infants. Birth history with c- section.
  * No congenital malformation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* ● Under treatment with neurotropic drugs.

  * Respiratory and cardiac congenital anamolies.
  * Genetic disorder.
  * Interventricular hemorrhage or seizures.

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab Province

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Respiratory Distress Syndrome, RDS, Postural drainage, Thoracic squeezing, O2

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.