Deep Breathing Combined With Core Stability Exercises in the Treatment of Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis (RCT)

March 6, 2026 updated by: Mariam Abdel Rahman, Beni-Suef University

The Effect of Deep Breathing Added to Core Stability Exercises in the Treatment of Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Exercise may be considered the gold standard for the management of mechanical and functional symptoms associated with patients having AS and they are considered as a safe and effective treatment for improving strength, spinal mobility, and physical fitness in general. However, there were no definite types or doses recommended over others.

Additionally, poor posture is one of the consequences of AS due to pain, loss of flexibility, and muscular weakness which may also affect respiratory function. This faulty mechanical posture of the thoracic and cervical spine may affect the pulmonary function of these patients. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to investigate the efficacy of deep breathing exercises added to core stability exercises in the treatment of patients suffering from AS.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The management of AS typically involves a multidisciplinary approach which includes both medical and physical therapy approaches, concerning the medical treatment, NSAIDs are widely used for pain relief and inflammation control in AS patients and were recommended for the management of patients having AS. The efficacy of NSAIDs has been well-documented in research studies, Disease-modifying antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), including sulfasalazine and methotrexate, play a crucial role in suppressing inflammation and preventing joint damage in AS patients, or biologics, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab), have transformed AS treatment by specifically targeting inflammatory pathways and significantly improving symptoms and function.

Respecting the physical therapy approach plays a crucial role aims to maintaining and improving mobility, reducing pain, enhancing overall function, correcting mal-positioning, and improving patients' psychological status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. It usually includes a combination of exercises such as Range of Motion (ROM) exercises, strengthening exercises, Cardiovascular exercises, postural training, patient education, assistive devices, Adaptations, and monitoring. Different types of exercises have been studied for managing patients having AS, however, no specific type has been recommended over others. Additionally, up to our knowledge, there were no studies has addressed the respiratory function that may be affected with patients having AS either from postural abnormalities, lack of spinal flexibility, or generalized functional limitations. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate if deep breathing exercises as a complementary intervention would be of some value when added to core stability exercises for patients suffering from AS.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Phase

  • 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

  • Egypt
      • Banī Suwayf, Egypt
        • Recruiting
        • Beni Suef university hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Mariam Abd Allah, Lecturer

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Receiving the same medical treatment
  • Age range between 20 and 45 years
  • Includes both male and female patients
  • Diagnosed with stable ankylosing spondylitis (AS) for at least 3 months
  • Not engaged in any other rehabilitation programs within the last 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of other systemic or neurological disorders
  • Any change in medication within the last 6 months

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: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Deep Breathing exercise plus Core stability exercises
Deep Breathing exercise is a type of exercise that engage the diaphragm to enhance the respiratory function, improve lung efficiency, and induce relaxation which improve the overall health condition.
Other: Exercises
Exercises
Active Comparator: Core Stability Exercises
Core Stability exercises are group of exercises designed to strengthen abdominal, back, lower limbs, and pelvis muscles which enhance posture and provide stability and body control during daily activities
Other: Exercises
Exercises

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Respiratory function
Time Frame: Patients will be examined after 4 to 6 weeks

Forced vital capacity (FVC) which measure lung volume, and it reflects the capacity of the lung.

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) which measure lung velocity, and it evaluate the presence of airway obstruction.

FEV1/FVC it the index that differentiate between obstructive and restrictive lung disease.
Patients will be examined after 4 to 6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Functional exercise capacity
Time Frame: Patients will be examined after 4 to 6 weeks
The physical functional performance will be assessed by a six-minute walk test (6 MWT)
Patients will be examined after 4 to 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Beni-Suef 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 (Actual)

February 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 15, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 21, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

December 3, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 6, 2026

Last Verified

November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Physical Therapy, Beni-Suef.

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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