Comparative Effects of Breather Device and Incentive Spirometer in Patients With COPD

Comparative Effects of Breather Device and Incentive Spirometer on Dyspnea , Lung Function Tests and Quality of Life in Patients With Copd.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized and defined by limitation of expiratory airflow. This can result from several types of anatomical lesions, including loss of lung elastic recoil and fibrosis and narrowing of small airways. Inflammation, edema, and secretions also contribute variably to airflow limitation.it is a preventable and treatable disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms, leading to cough, dyspnea, muscle weakness and fatigue affecting overall well-being and quality of life. The Breather is a respiratory muscle training device strengthening both inspiratory and expiratory muscles by breathing against a set resistance, which can be increased in line with training progress while. Another technique with proven effect in improvement of respiratory function and lung expansion is the incentive spirometry. incentive spirometry is used to encourage deep breathing and effective coughing, to achieve maximum dilation of the bronchi and prevent and treat pulmonary complications such as atelectasis in COPD patients.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: COPD
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: breather device; Other: incentive spirometer

Detailed Description

This research of randomized clinical trial will evaluate the effects of breather device and incentive spirometer on dyspnea, lung function and quality of life in COPD patients by taking sample of 80 patients through non probability convenience sampling as per inclusion criteria. The patients will be allocated randomly into two groups. One group will receive breather device 2 sets of 10 breaths two times a day ,6 days a week for 2 weeks. While second group will receive incentive spirometer 20 minutes per session 30 breaths per set 5-6 times a day for 2 weeks. The patient will be asked to hold breath in for 2-3 seconds. Outcomes including Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and 6-minute walk distance will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period. The data will be analyzed by using SPSS

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 80
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Wajeeha Zia, phd; Phone Number: 03234500788; Email: wajeeha.zia@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
      • Riphah International University
      • Contact: Wajeeha Zia, phd; Phone Number: 03234500788; Email: wajeeha.zia@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both male and female of age group between 45 to 65.
• Patients with mild to moderate COPD
• Patients willing to participate.
• patients with ability to understand and follow the instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hemodynamically unstable patients
• Patients with other cardiorespiratory and neurological diseases.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: breather device; Patient will assume a comfortable sitting position on chair; all limbs are rested and supported. The training begins using breather device with the easiest inhalation and exhalation resistances by rotating both the dials to number one. Each patient will be taught and trained to secure the mouthpiece with lips. A soft nose clip will be put on nose to occlude the nostrils and prevent air leaks. each patient will be asked to rapidly inhale, maintained a pause for two to three seconds and then quickly and forcefully exhale. The patient's stomach, rib cage, and neck muscles will be noticed and monitored during breathing in against resistance to make sure to relax the upper chest and shoulders. Then will ask the patient to exhale forcefully for two to three seconds while preventing puffing from the cheeks. The previous steps will be done for 2 sets of ten breaths two times per day, 6 days a week.	Device: breather device; Patient will assume a comfortable sitting position on chair; all limbs are rested and supported. The training begins using breather device with the easiest inhalation and exhalation resistances by rotating both the dials to number one. Each patient will be taught and trained to secure the mouthpiece with lips. A soft nose clip will be put on nose to occlude the nostrils and prevent air leaks. each patient will be asked to rapidly inhale, maintained a pause for two to three seconds and then quickly and forcefully exhale. The patient's stomach, rib cage, and neck muscles will be noticed and monitored during breathing in against resistance to make sure to relax the upper chest and shoulders. Then will ask the patient to exhale forcefully for two to three seconds while preventing puffing from the cheeks. The previous steps will be done for 2 sets of ten breaths two times per day, 6 days a week.
Experimental: incentive spirometer; The preparation and positioning instructions for patients will be given to lose any tight clothing. ensure comforted position and explain treatment concisely. The patients will be asked to take a deep slow inspiration while lips fitted around mouthpiece of incentive spirometer. Visual feedback will be provided to the patient, such as a ball rising to a preset marker, to motivate them during the exercise. The patient will be instructed to get the planned flow at the preset amount. Then patient will be asked to maintain breathing in for 2-3 seconds.	Other: incentive spirometer; The preparation and positioning instructions for patients will be given to lose any tight clothing. ensure comforted position and explain treatment concisely. The patients will be asked to take a deep slow inspiration while lips fitted around mouthpiece of incentive spirometer. Visual feedback will be provided to the patient, such as a ball rising to a preset marker, to motivate them during the exercise. The patient will be instructed to get the planned flow at the preset amount. Then patient will be asked to maintain breathing in for 2-3 seconds.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale	is a simple questionnaire used to assess the impact of breathlessness on daily activities. It's a 5-point scale ranging from Grade 1 (no breathlessness except with strenuous exercise) to Grade 5 (too breathless to leave the house). The scale is widely used to measure perceived respiratory disability and is valuable in evaluating the severity of breathlessness in various conditions like COPD.	1st day
Spirometry using a calibrated incentive spirometer:	An incentive spirometer is a handheld device used to help patients take slow, deep breaths, improving lung function and preventing complications like pneumonia, especially after surgery or illness. It encourages the lungs to expand and strengthen, and can also help clear mucus from the airways	1st day
COPD Assessment Test (CAT)	is a questionnaire for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is designed to measure the impact of COPD on a person's life, and how these changes over time. It covers symptoms such as cough, phlegm, chest tightness and breathlessness, and disease impacts, including physical activity, confidence, sleep, and energy.	1st day
6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT): To evaluate exercise tolerance.	The 6 Minute Walk Test is a sub-maximal exercise test used to assess aerobic capacity and endurance. The distance covered over a time of 6 minutes is used as the outcome by which to compare changes in performance capacity. The object of this test is to walk as far as possible for 6 minutes. You will walk back and forth in this hallway. Six minutes is a long time to walk.. You are permitted to slow down, to stop, and to rest as necessary. You may lean against the wall while resting, but resume walking as soon as you are able. You will be walking back and forth around the cones	1st day

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Wajeeha Zia, phd, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Elsayed, M., et al. (2025).

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 22, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 25, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 6, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: COPD; incentive spirometer; breather device
• 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: Tabinda Jabeen; 64229 (Other Identifier: Riphah)

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