Investigation of the Acute Effects of Traditional and Functional IMT on Muscle Oxygenation in COPD

Investigation of the Acute Effects of Traditional and Functional Inspiratory Muscle Training on Muscle Oxygenation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This study aims to compare the effects of functional and conventional inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on post-exercise muscle deoxygenation in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Participants will complete both training modalities on separate days. A 2-minute walk test (2MWT) will be performed baseline, and after each session. Muscle oxygenation (SmO₂) will be assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy . Dyspnea and fatigue will be evaluated with the Modified Borg Scale, and heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) will be measured by pulse oximetry. Measurements will be recorded before, after training and at the end of the walking test.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Traditional inspiratory muscle training; Other: Functional inspiratory muscle training (IMT)

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 24
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Keçiören
    • Ankara, Keçiören, Turkey (Türkiye), 06018
      • Gulhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being 18 years of age or older,
• Having a diagnosis of COPD,
• Being in stage II-III according to the GOLD classification,
• Being able to mobilize independently.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a recent exacerbation or complication requiring hospitalization,
• Having had a respiratory tract infection within the past month,
• Having any disease or medical condition that prevents participation in exercise, -Having cognitive impairment (a score of <24 on the Mini-Mental Test).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Other: Traditional inspiratory muscle training; Traditional inspiratory muscle training is a form of training performed using a resistive breathing device that provides resistance to the muscles involved in inspiration. Inspiratory muscle training will be performed using a portable pressure-threshold device (POWERbreathe Classic IMT - Light Resistance). IMT will be administered in a seated position with upper extremities supported and the upper chest/shoulders relaxed. The training procedure will be explained to each participant and performed for 15 minutes at 40% of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP).; Other: Functional inspiratory muscle training (IMT); Functional inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is defined as inspiratory muscle training performed while maintaining core stabilization and postural control. Functional IMT consists of a warm-up period, core exercises, dynamic trunk activation combined with upper extremity movements, postural control exercises, and a cool-down period. The participant performs these exercises simultaneously with inspiratory muscle training.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle oxygenation levels (SmO₂)	Muscle oxygenation (SmO₂) will be assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy .	1. day - baseline measurement-before and after 2MWT , 1. day- before and after IMT and after 2MWT 2. day- before and after FIMT and after 2MWT

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Fatigue	Fatigue will be assessed before and after the walking test using the Borg scale. The scale is scored from 0 to 10, with 0 being no fatigue and 10 being extreme fatigue.	1. day - baseline measurement-before and after 2MWT , 1. day- before and after IMT and after 2MWT 2. day- before and after FIMT and after 2MWT
Dyspnea	Dyspnea severity will be assessed using the Modified Borg Scale. It consists of ten items that describe the severity of dyspnea according to degree. The scale is scored from 0 (no shortness of breath) to 10 (very severe).	1. day - baseline measurement-before and after 2MWT , 1. day- before and after IMT and after 2MWT 2. day- before and after FIMT and after 2MWT
Heart rate	Heart rate value will be measured with a pulse oximeter.	1. day - baseline measurement-before and after 2MWT , 1. day- before and after IMT and after 2MWT 2. day- before and after FIMT and after 2MWT
Saturation (SPO2)	Saturation values will be measured with a pulse oximeter.	1. day - baseline measurement-before and after 2MWT , 1. day- before and after IMT and after 2MWT 2. day- before and after FIMT and after 2MWT
hemoglobin	The hemoglobin value of muscle tissue will be measured using the near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method.	1. day - baseline measurement-before and after 2MWT , 1. day- before and after IMT and after 2MWT 2. day- before and after FIMT and after 2MWT

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 11, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): February 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 25, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): December 5, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 9, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 7, 2026
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; inspiratory muscle training; functional inspiratory muscle training
• 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: 2025/489

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