Preoperative respiratory training to prevent lung complications after thoracic surgery

Preoperative RESpiratory Training and MOBilization to Prevent Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery (RESMOB): A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Istanbul University · NCT05416411

This study is testing whether pre-surgery breathing exercises and physical training can help people having thoracic surgery avoid lung problems afterward.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment436 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorIstanbul University (other)
Locations3 sites (Istanbul and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05416411 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative respiratory training and mobilization in reducing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. The study will implement structured exercise programs, including endurance and respiratory muscle training, to enhance patients' physical fitness before surgery. By educating patients on modifiable risk factors and optimal breathing techniques, the trial seeks to provide a simple yet effective intervention to mitigate the risks associated with PPCs. The multicenter randomized design will allow for a comprehensive assessment of the intervention's impact across different patient populations.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adult patients over 18 years old who are at risk for postoperative pulmonary complications and are scheduled for elective thoracic surgery lasting more than 120 minutes.

Not a fit: Patients with severe respiratory conditions, such as advanced COPD or those requiring mechanical ventilation post-surgery, may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, leading to shorter hospital stays and improved patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that prehabilitation strategies can effectively reduce postoperative complications, suggesting that this approach may yield positive results as well.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients (\> 18 years)
* Risk factors for PPCs (ARISCAT score \>27)
* Elective intra-abdominal surgery or intrathoracic surgery via an open or minimally-invasive approach, expected to last \> 120 min.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients unable to understand the instructions and/or to perform the proposed training program (i.e., poor comprehension, chest pain)
* COPD GOLD Grade III and IV, lung fibrosis, documented bullae, severe emphysema, pneumothorax
* Patient with chest pain or at risk of pneumothorax
* Previous lung surgery
* Bilateral lung procedures
* Emergent surgery or organ transplant
* Planned mechanical ventilation after surgery
* Uncontrolled asthma
* Coronary heart disease with angina grade 3 or 4 Canadian Cardiovascular Society
* documented pulmonary arterial hypertension \>25mmHg mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) at rest or \> 40 mmHg systolic PAP (estimated by ultrasound)
* Documented or suspected neuromuscular disease (thymoma, myasthenia, myopathies, muscular dystrophies, others)
* Intracranial injury or tumor
* Persistent hemodynamnic instability, intractable shock
* Pregnancy (excluded by anamnesis and/or laboratory analysis)
* Enrollment in another interventional study or refusal of informed consent
* Presence of one of the adverse events, listed as PPCs (aspiration, respiratory failure, pneumonia, atelectasis, cardiopulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pneumothorax)
* Pleural surgery only, sympathectomy surgery only, chest wall surgery only, mediastinal surgery only, lung transplantation

Where this trial is running

Istanbul 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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Postoperative Complications, Procedure, Thoracic Surgical, prehabilitation

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.