Muscle Energy Techniques in COPD Patients

Muscle Energy Techniques in Chronic Obstructive Disease Patients: Effects on Pulmonary Function and Activities of Daily Living

Patients diagnosed with COPD as a result of hyperinflation adapt to the increased workload through shortening and overactivation of other muscles because of their dual function as muscles of the upper limb and neck motion which makes them limited in function and decreases the range of motion in these joints. Another resultant effect of these changes is the shortness of breath taking place following the inability of patients to perform daily activities.

Current research is focusing on the use of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) for such circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether METs result in an improvement in rib cage mobility which could potentially lead to improvements in pulmonary function and activities of daily of living (ADLs) in a group of patients diagnosed with COPD. If positive results are obtained, such an intervention might provide a possible addition to the evidence-based interventions already available for COPD patients. The result of this intervention may provide physiotherapists with further techniques for use in such patients; ones which will be of benefit to the patients and their quality of life and also to the health services.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Muscle Energy Techniques

Detailed Description

Patients diagnosed with COPD as a result of hyperinflation adapt to the increased workload through shortening and overactivation of other muscles because of their dual function as muscles of the upper limb and neck motion which makes them limited in function and decreases the range of motion in these joints. Another resultant effect of these changes is the shortness of breath taking place following the inability of patients to perform daily activities.

Current research is focusing on the use of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) for such circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether METs result in an improvement in rib cage mobility which could potentially lead to improvements in pulmonary function and activities of daily of living (ADLs) in a group of patients diagnosed with COPD. If positive results are obtained, such an intervention might provide a possible addition to the evidence-based interventions already available for COPD patients. The result of this intervention may provide physiotherapists with further techniques for use in such patients; ones which will be of benefit to the patients and their quality of life and also to the health services.

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) shall be carried out on an approximate sample of 110 patients diagnosed with COPD. Participants shall be randomly assigned to an intervention and a control group. The intervention group shall be receiving a 4 week programme of Muscle Energy Techniques whereas the control group shall continue with their prescribed medications and any conventional physiotherapy sessions suggested for these patients.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 110
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Kimberley Sevasta, BSc; Phone Number: 356 79980164; Email: sevastakimberley@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Anabel Sciriha, PhD; Phone Number: 356 99423327; Email: anabel.sciriha@um.edu.mt

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 38 years to 78 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The patient has to have been diagnosed as suffering from COPD by a medical consultant,
2. Be medically stable with no exacerbations within the past 2 months and,
3. Be between the age range of 40 to 79 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis,
2. Musculoskeletal or neuromuscular pathology and,
3. Cognitive disability that could affect comprehension or execution of the intervention protocol or outcome measurements

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental; The experimental group shall be receiving a 4 week programme of Muscle Energy Techniques on the following accessory muscles; Sternocleidomastoid, Pectoralis Minor, Trapezius, Scalene muscles and Latissimus Dorsi	Other: Muscle Energy Techniques; A 4 week intervention will be carried out consisting of Muscle Energy Techniques on the accessory muscle of respiration. That is, Pectoralis Minor, Sternocleidomastoid, Upper trapezius, Scalene muscles and Latissimus Dorsi
No Intervention: Control group; The control group will be taking their prescribed medication and continue with any conventional physiotherapy recommended for the individual.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Lung function test	Spirometry	Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
Change in Chest expansion	Chest expansion using a tape measure	Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
Change in 6 Minute Walk Test	An endurance test over a 6 minute time frame using a 30m course	Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8
Change in Manchester Related Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire	MR-ADL is a reliable physical disability scale. It is a self-completed scale and usually takes around 10 minutes to complete. It assesses functional ability in 4 different domains, that is in the kitchen, mobility, domestic tasks and leisure activities	Week 0, Week 4 and Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Malta

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): February 23, 2021
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): September 30, 2022
• Study Completion (Anticipated): June 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 25, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): February 26, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 26, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 25, 2021
• Last Verified: February 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: COPD; Activities of daily living; Dyspnoea; METs; Muscle Energy Techniques
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
• Other Study ID Numbers: 333797

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No