Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Respiratory Parameters in Upper Extremity Burns

May 4, 2026 updated by: Sümeyye Akçay, Fenerbahce University

The Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Respiratory Parameters in Individuals With Upper Extremity Burns

This study will evaluate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on breathing function, respiratory muscle activity, respiratory muscle thickness, and functional capacity in adults with upper extremity burns. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a pulmonary rehabilitation group or a control group. The pulmonary rehabilitation group will receive respiratory muscle training together with upper extremity aerobic exercises, while the control group will receive a conventional exercise program. Assessments will be performed before the intervention, at week 3, and after the 6-week intervention period. The results may help improve rehabilitation approaches for people with upper extremity burns.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Burn injuries may lead to physical limitations, functional loss, and respiratory problems. In individuals with upper extremity burns, pain, scar tissue, and reduced mobility of the shoulder girdle and chest wall may affect breathing mechanics and respiratory muscle performance. These changes may reduce ventilatory capacity and functional capacity during daily activities.

This randomized controlled clinical study will investigate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program in adults with upper extremity burns. The study will be conducted at the Burn Center of Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital. Adults aged 18 to 65 years who had an upper extremity burn injury 3 to 12 months before enrollment and who meet the eligibility criteria will be included.

A total of 64 participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: a pulmonary rehabilitation group and a control group. The pulmonary rehabilitation group will receive respiratory muscle training combined with upper extremity aerobic exercises. The control group will receive a conventional exercise program. The intervention period will last 6 weeks.

Participants will be assessed at three time points: before the intervention, at week 3, and after the 6-week intervention. Respiratory function will be assessed using spirometry, including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and maximum voluntary ventilation. Respiratory muscle activity will be evaluated using surface electromyography. Respiratory muscle thickness and diaphragm excursion will be assessed using ultrasonography. Functional capacity will be measured with the 6-minute walk test.

The study aims to determine whether pulmonary rehabilitation can improve respiratory function, respiratory muscle activity, respiratory muscle morphology, and functional capacity in individuals with upper extremity burns.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
64

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Kartal
      • Istanbul, Kartal, Turkey (Türkiye), 34865
        • Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital Burn Unit

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18 to 65 years
  • History of upper extremity burn injury 3 to 12 months before enrollment
  • Clinically stable condition, including oxygen saturation greater than 92% and cardiac stability
  • Ability to communicate and follow instructions, with no hearing, cognitive, or motor communication impairment
  • Voluntary agreement to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Burns involving the lower extremity, trunk, or head and neck regions
  • History of chronic pulmonary, cardiac, neurological, or musculoskeletal disease
  • Dependence on mechanical ventilation or respiratory support
  • Severe psychiatric disorder or cognitive impairment
  • Pregnancy

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Group
Participants in this group will receive a 6-week pulmonary rehabilitation program including respiratory muscle training and upper extremity aerobic exercises.
Other: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
Participants in the experimental group will receive a 6-week pulmonary rehabilitation program in addition to the conventional exercise program. The pulmonary rehabilitation program will include respiratory muscle training and upper extremity aerobic exercises. Respiratory muscle training will be performed to improve inspiratory and expiratory muscle performance. Upper extremity aerobic exercises will be planned according to the participant's clinical status and tolerance, with the aim of improving respiratory function, chest wall mobility, exercise tolerance, and functional capacity. Exercises will be progressed gradually during the intervention period, and participants will be monitored for dyspnea, fatigue, oxygen desaturation, and pain during the sessions.
Other: Conventional Exercise Program
Participants in both groups will receive a 6-week conventional exercise program as standard rehabilitation. The program will include routine rehabilitation exercises commonly used for individuals with upper extremity burns. Exercises will focus on maintaining and improving upper extremity range of motion, flexibility, scar-related mobility, posture, and functional use of the affected limb. The program may include active and active-assisted range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, mobility exercises for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, and functional upper extremity activities according to the participant's clinical condition and tolerance.
Active Comparator: Conventional Exercise Group
Participants in this group will receive a 6-week conventional exercise program.
Other: Conventional Exercise Program
Participants in both groups will receive a 6-week conventional exercise program as standard rehabilitation. The program will include routine rehabilitation exercises commonly used for individuals with upper extremity burns. Exercises will focus on maintaining and improving upper extremity range of motion, flexibility, scar-related mobility, posture, and functional use of the affected limb. The program may include active and active-assisted range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, mobility exercises for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, and functional upper extremity activities according to the participant's clinical condition and tolerance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Forced Vital Capacity
Time Frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Pulmonary function will be assessed using forced vital capacity measured with a portable spirometry device according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society standards. Forced vital capacity will be reported in liters.
Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second
Time Frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Pulmonary function will be assessed using forced expiratory volume in one second measured with a portable spirometry device according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society standards. Forced expiratory volume in one second will be reported in liters.
Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Maximum Voluntary Ventilation
Time Frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Pulmonary function will be assessed using maximum voluntary ventilation measured with a portable spirometry device according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society standards. Maximum voluntary ventilation will be reported in liters per minute.
Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Diaphragm Thickness During Inspiration
Time Frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Diaphragm thickness during inspiration will be assessed using ultrasonography to evaluate changes in diaphragm morphology over time. Diaphragm thickness during inspiration will be reported in millimeters.
Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Diaphragm Thickness During Expiration
Time Frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Diaphragm thickness during expiration will be assessed using ultrasonography to evaluate changes in diaphragm morphology over time. Diaphragm thickness during expiration will be reported in millimeters.
Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Diaphragm Excursion
Time Frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Diaphragm excursion will be assessed using ultrasonography to evaluate changes in diaphragm mobility over time. Diaphragm excursion will be reported in millimeters.
Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in 6-Minute Walk Distance
Time Frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Functional capacity will be assessed using the 6-minute walk test. The distance walked during the test will be recorded in meters.
Baseline, week 3, and week 6

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Fenerbahce University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Sümeyye Akçay, Fenerbahçe University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
May 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 28, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 4, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 4, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • KartalH

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared because of participant privacy and confidentiality considerations. The data collected in this study will be used only for the purposes described in the approved study protocol and informed consent form. De-identified aggregate results may be presented in scientific meetings or published in scientific journals.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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