Effects of Core Stabilization and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients With COPD (COPD)

Comparison of the Effects of Core Stabilization and Inspiratory Muscle Training on Diaphragm Activation, Inspiratory Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity, Respiratory Functions, Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Patients With COPD

In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a mismatch develops between the respiratory system's demand and the functional capacity of respiratory muscles due to the combination of local and systemic factors increasing the respiratory workload. This results in impaired coordination of muscle groups, leading to muscle dysfunction. Respiratory muscle dysfunction is a significant determinant of life expectancy in COPD. Additionally, respiratory muscles unable to cope with increased workloads lead to impaired respiratory functions and reduced exercise capacity.

It is widely accepted that appropriate training of respiratory muscles can increase their strength, endurance, and their close relationship with lung volume capacities. Besides their role in respiration, respiratory muscles also contribute to postural function and core stabilization. Studies on respiratory muscle training in COPD have primarily focused on inspiratory muscle strength training, neglecting the core stabilization function of respiratory muscles. However, optimal gains in a muscle can only be achieved with training tailored to its functional characteristics. Therefore, a comprehensive training program should be developed considering the multifunctional nature of respiratory muscles. Studies published in healthy individuals and different patient populations demonstrate that core training can improve lung functions. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of inspiratory muscle training and core stabilization training on diaphragm activation, inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, respiratory functions, physical activity, and quality of life in individuals with COPD.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Copd
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: İnspiratory muscle training; Other: Core training

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 36
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being over 18 years old
• Having a diagnosis of COPD according to the GOLD criteria and being at stage 3 or lower
• Not being in an acute exacerbation period and having at least one month since the last exacerbation
• Being able to walk independently
• Having sufficient mental capacity to understand the tasks in the study (Mini-Mental Test >24)
• Being willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being a stage 4 COPD patient according to the GOLD criteria
• Having a diagnosis of lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure
• Being in a COPD exacerbation period
• Scoring below 24 on the Mini-Mental Test
• Having any other disease that affects respiratory functions
• Having undergone pulmonary surgery

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: İnspiratory muscle training; Inspiratory muscle training during 8 weeks	Other: İnspiratory muscle training; exercises to strengthen inspiratory muscles; Other Names: Normal breath exercises and İnspiratory muscle training
Other: Core Stabilization; Inspiratory muscle training and core training during 8 weeks	Other: İnspiratory muscle training; exercises to strengthen inspiratory muscles; Other Names: Normal breath exercises and İnspiratory muscle training; Other: Core training; exercises to strengthen inspiratory and core muscles; Other Names: Normal breath exercises and İnspiratory muscle training and Core Stabilization

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Inspiratory Muscle Strength	Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) (cmH2O),	8 weeks
Inspiratory Muscle Activation	surface EMG (TLC from FRC (TLC maneuver)(cmH2O)	8 weeks
Respiratory function tests FEV1	Spirometry, FEV1 (lt)	8 weeks
Respiratory function tests FVC	Spirometry, FVC (lt)	8 weeks
Respiratory function tests PEF	Spirometry, PEF (lt/sn)	8 weeks
Respiratory function tests FEV1/FVC	Spirometry, FEV1/FVC %	8 weeks
Respiratory function MVV	Spirometry, MVV(L/min)	8 weeks
Functional capacity	Six Minute Walking Test (6MVT) (m)	8 weeks
Symptoms	MMRC Dyspnea Scale (Scores range from 0 to 4)	8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Physical activity,	IPAQ (MET/minute)	8 week
Quality of life Tests	SGRQ (Scores range from 0 to 100)	8 week
Core Strength	1 minute sit to stand ( how many times sit and stand during 1 minute)	8 week
Core Strength flexion	Mcgill Endurance Tests For Trunk Flexion (sec)	8 week
Core Strength extension	Mcgill Endurance Tests For Trunk Extension (sec)	8 week
Core Strength side bridge	Mcgill Endurance Tests For Side Bridge (sec)	8 week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Mustafa Ertuğrul Yaşa

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 3, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): June 5, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 3, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 14, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): July 19, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 5, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 29, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2024-183

Drug and device information, study documents

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