Acute Effect of the Thoraco-abdominal Rebalance Method Postoperative Cardiac Surgery

Acute Effect of the Thoraco-abdominal Rebalance Method on Diaphragmatic Function, Respiratory Discomfort, Pulmonary Complications and Hemodynamic Variables in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients: Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: The thoracoabdominal rebalancing (TAR) method aims to promote diaphragmatic juxtaposition, in addition to seeking to increase respiratory muscle strength and adjust muscle tone. However, scientific publications on this method in heart patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are still scarce, justifying the need to carry out this study for information, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment purposes in the health area with an emphasis on cardiology.

Objective: To evaluate whether diaphragmatic ultrasound findings differ between the TAR method and conventional physiotherapy in post-CABG patients.

Methods: This is a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. Adults (>35 years), hemodynamically stable, who underwent CABG (<24 hours) and had a prescription for physiotherapy will be included. Patients will be randomized into two groups: 1) intervention group [IG] - TAR; 2) control group [CG] - standard physiotherapy approach. Interventions will be performed at a single time and the following variables will be collected pre- and post-intervention: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diaphragmatic ultrasound (US) to identify possible acute findings in both groups, respiratory distress scale and pulmonary complications scale will be applied at the end of the interventions.

Keywords: Physiotherapy; Cardiology; Ultrasonography

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Respiratory Complications; Diaphragmatic Excursion; Pulmonary Spirometry
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Conventional physiotherapy; Procedure: TAR Method

Detailed Description

To compare the effect of conventional physiotherapy techniques with the management of thoracoabdominal rebalancing in postoperative patients after myocardial revascularization surgery, carefully evaluating these effects through diaphragm ultrasound and pulmonary spirometry, in addition to variables such as vital signs and respiratory distress scales and pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery. This is a randomized trial in which patients undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery at the Cardiology Institute of Rio Grande do Sul will participate.

Individuals over 35 years of age who underwent myocardial revascularization surgery with prescribed physiotherapy treatment will be included in the study. Patients who were intubated and/or remained on mechanical ventilation for more than twelve hours or who required non-invasive mechanical ventilation before or during the collection period will be excluded.

The study was submitted to the Research Ethics Committee of the Cardiology Institute of Porto Alegre (CEP-ICFUC). All study participants will receive clear explanations about the research, and those who voluntarily agree to participate in the study will sign the informed consent form in two copies, one of which will be made available to the participant and the other to the researchers. Participants will not be paid, nor will they receive any assistance during or after the end of the research (466/12).

The benefits of this research will be in improved conduct that prevents or reduces complications and/or respiratory discomfort, as well as speeding up the patient's recovery, aiming for faster hospital discharge. Patients selected for the control group (conventional physiotherapy) will be exposed to respiratory physiotherapy techniques such as vibrocompression, passive manual expiratory therapy, acceleration of expiratory flow, fractional inspiration in times, diaphragmatic breathing and aspiration when necessary, and patients selected for group intervention will undergo thoracoabdominal rebalancing management such as abdominal supports and/or in the ileocostal space, inspiratory assistance, release of the shoulder girdle, thoracic swing, release of the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles together with aspiration if necessary.

The research presents minimal risks for the participants, which are related to the measurement of hemodynamic variables through the monitor, in addition to the pulmonary spirometry test and diaphragmatic analysis through ultrasound, and/or application of conventional physiotherapy techniques such as vibrocompression, acceleration of expiratory flow, passive manual expiratory therapy that may suggest some discomfort or pain when touching the chest in a sensation of pressure and vibration. Patients undergoing thoracoabdominal rebalancing treatment are expected to have lower scores on the pulmonary complications scale, Downes and Raphaelly respiratory distress scale and, consequently, better diaphragmatic excursion, as well as improvements in other variables.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 26
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Karolini R Branco; Phone Number: +55(051)995075412; Email: karolinireis@hotmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Bruna Eibel; Phone Number: +55(051)997001110; Email: brunaeibel@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Brazil
  • Rio Grande do Sul
    • Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 90620-001
      • Recruiting
      • Intituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul
      • Contact: Karolini R Branco; Phone Number: +55(051)995075412; Email: karolinireis@hotmail.com
      • Contact: Bruna Eibel; Phone Number: +55(051)9970001110; Email: brunaeibel@gmail.com
      • Principal Investigator: Bruna Eibel

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals over 35 years of age who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery with prescribed physiotherapy treatment will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are intubated and/or have remained on mechanical ventilation for more than twelve hours, or who require non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) before or during the collection period will be excluded.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Conventional physiotherapy; Patients selected for the control group (conventional physiotherapy) will be exposed to respiratory physiotherapy techniques such as vibrocompression, manual passive expiratory therapy, acceleration of expiratory flow, fractional inspiration in times, diaphragmatic breaths and aspiration when necessary.	Procedure: Conventional physiotherapy; Patients selected for the control group (conventional physiotherapy) will be exposed to respiratory physiotherapy techniques such as vibrocompression, manual passive expiratory therapy, acceleration of expiratory flow, fractional inspiration in times, diaphragmatic breaths and aspiration when necessary.
Active Comparator: TAR Method; Patients selected for the intervention group will undergo thoracoabdominal rebalancing treatment, such as abdominal and/or ileocostal space supports, inspiratory assistance, release of the shoulder girdle, thoracic balance, release of the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles, along with aspiration, if necessary.	Procedure: TAR Method; Patients selected for the intervention group will undergo thoracoabdominal rebalancing management such as abdominal supports and/or in the ileocostal space, inspiratory assistance, release of the shoulder girdle, thoracic balance, release of the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles together with aspiration if necessary.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Diaphragmatic excursion	Increase in measures	Immediately before the intervention and within 30 minutes after the intervention
Change in the Downes and Raphaelly respiratory distress scale	Points 0-10, where 0 is best and 10 is worst	Immediately before the intervention and within 30 minutes after the intervention
Pulmonary spirometry	Increase in measurements: CVF (L)	Immediately before the intervention and within 30 minutes after the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Respiratory rate	Breathing intervals per minute	Immediately before the intervention and within 30 minutes after the intervention
Peripheral oxygen saturation	SpO2	Immediately before the intervention and within 30 minutes after the intervention
Mean arterial pressure	mmHg	Immediately before the intervention and within 30 minutes after the intervention
Lung auscultation assessment	Wheezing, rhonchi or stridor	Immediately before the intervention and within 30 minutes after the intervention
Heart rate	Beats per minute	Immediately before the intervention and within 30 minutes after the intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brasil

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Hulzebos EH, Van Meeteren NL, De Bie RA, Dagnelie PC, Helders PJ. Prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications on the basis of preoperative risk factors in patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Phys Ther. 2003 Jan;83(1):8-16.
• SANTANA, Pauliane Vieira et al. Ultrassonografia diafragmática: uma revisão de seus aspectos metodológicos e usos clínicos. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, v. 46, 2020.
• OLIVEIRA, Miriana Carvalho; SOBRINHO, Cristina Ortiz; ORSINI, Marco. Comparação entre o método Reequilíbrio Toracoabdominal e a fisioterapia respiratória convencional em recém-nascidos com taquipneia transitória: um ensaio clínico randomizado. Fisioterapia Brasil, v. 18, n. 5, p. 598-607, 2018
• SOARES, Jainy Lima; DE SOUSA, Anderson Moura Bonfim; DA SILVA MEDEIROS, Joelson. Physiotherapy treatment in the pre and postoperative period of cardiac surgery: an integrative review. Revista Ciência & Saberes-Facema, v. 3, n. 3, p. 624-629, 2017.
• SANTANA, Vilma Maria et al. Health Education for Patients in the Perioperative Period of Cardiovascular Surgery: Experience Report. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, v. 4, n. 2, p. 5559-5571, 2021.
• 1. BECCARIA, Lucia Marinilza et al. Postoperative complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery in a teaching hospital. Archives of Health Sciences, v. 22, n. 3, p. 37-41, 2015.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 4, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 4, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): February 7, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 22, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Physiotherapy; Ultrasonography; Cardiology
• Other Study ID Numbers: 6075/23

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