Rib mobilization to help ventilated pneumonia patients breathe on their own

Effect of Rib Mobilization on Weaning Parameters From Mechanical Ventilator in Patients With Pneumonia

This trial will try rib mobilization versus routine chest physiotherapy to see if it helps adults with pneumonia come off mechanical ventilators sooner.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 50 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Cairo)
• Trial ID: NCT06835842 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study compares a manual rib mobilization technique with routine chest physiotherapy in intubated adults with pneumonia who are receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Participants meeting stability criteria will receive either rib mobilization or standard chest physiotherapy while clinicians record ventilator weaning parameters such as respiratory rate, tidal volume, and FiO2, plus daily arterial blood gases. Secondary outcomes include length of ICU stay and weaning success rate. The goal is to determine whether adding rib mobilization improves respiratory mechanics and accelerates liberation from the ventilator.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 40–50 with pneumonia who require invasive mechanical ventilation and are hemodynamically stable (SpO2 >85%, FiO2 ≤0.6, PEEP <10 cm H2O, MAP >75 mmHg, urine output >1 mL/kg/h) with GCS >8T are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with unstable hemodynamics, uncontrolled neurological problems, unstable chest wall (multiple rib/vertebral fractures), raised intracranial pressure, undrained pneumothorax, or recent pulmonary surgery are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, rib mobilization could reduce time on the ventilator and shorten ICU stays for patients with pneumonia.

How similar studies have performed: Related chest physiotherapy methods have shown mixed or modest improvements in respiratory mechanics, while direct evidence specifically for rib mobilization in ventilated pneumonia patients is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient's age ranged from 40- 50 years old from both genders.
2. Diagnosed with pneumonia and need invasive mechanical ventilation support.
3. Stable oxygen saturation (SpO2 more than 85, (FiO2) 0.6 or less, PEEP less than 10 Cm H2O).
4. mean arterial pressure \> 75 mmHg and urine output \> 1 mL/kg/h;
5. Patients with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) \> 8T
6. Unconscious and semi-conscious patients. -

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unstable hemodynamics
2. Unstable neurological problems e.g. (epileptic seizures -hyperthermia).
3. Unstable chest wall e.g. (multiple rib or vertebral fractures)
4. Increase intracranial pressure (\>20 mmHg for \>5 min).
5. Undrained pneumothorax, recent pulmonary surgery

Where this trial is running

Cairo

• El Galaa Military Hospital — Cairo, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: hoda gaber el said, master

Conditions Pneumonia