Ultrasound of abdominal breathing muscles in Parkinson's disease

The Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Abdominal Accessory Respiratory Muscle Thickness in Patients With Parkinson's Disease: Correlation With Disease Severity and Expiratory Respiratory Muscle Strength

Observational Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital · NCT07308795

We will use ultrasound to measure abdominal breathing muscles to see if their thickness relates to disease severity and breathing strength in adults with Parkinson's disease.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment36 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorIstanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital Government
Locations1 site (Istanbul, BAHÇELİEVLER)
Trial IDNCT07308795 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational, cross-sectional study enrolling adults with Parkinson's disease at Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–3. Investigators will use ultrasonography to measure thickness of rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, and oblique muscles and will record maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP). Disease severity will be captured with standardized clinical scales and cognitive screening will ensure participants can follow instructions. The study will compare muscle thickness with expiratory strength and clinical severity to identify patterns that could inform respiratory rehabilitation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease at Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–3 who can follow commands (MMSE >23), have BMI <30, are non-smokers, and can attend the Istanbul study site.

Not a fit: People with advanced Parkinson's beyond stage 3, significant cognitive impairment, active chest disease, ongoing smoking, unstable vital signs, or Parkinson-plus syndromes would likely be excluded and may not benefit from these specific findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If a clear relationship is found, ultrasound measures could help identify respiratory muscle weakness earlier and guide targeted breathing rehabilitation for people with Parkinson's.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have documented respiratory muscle weakness in Parkinson's and ultrasonography has been used to measure abdominal muscles in other populations, but correlating abdominal muscle thickness specifically with Parkinson's disease severity is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \> 18 years
* Parkinson's disease diagnosis with Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-2-3
* Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \> 23
* Body Mass Index (BMI) \< 30

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active smokers
* Individuals with a diagnosis of active chest disease
* Those with hemodynamic instability
* Individuals with unstable vital signs
* Parkinson's patients who cannot be controlled with medical treatment
* Parkinson Plus syndromes

Where this trial is running

Istanbul, BAHÇELİEVLER

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 Parkinson DiseaseMaximum Inspiratory PressureMaximum Expiratory PressureAbdominal Accessory Respiratory Muscle Thicknessabdominal muscles ultrasonographyparkinson diseaserespiratoryMIP
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.