Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Respiratory Parameters in Upper Extremity Burns

The Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Respiratory Parameters in Individuals With Upper Extremity Burns

This study will evaluate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on breathing function, respiratory muscle activity, respiratory muscle thickness, and functional capacity in adults with upper extremity burns. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a pulmonary rehabilitation group or a control group. The pulmonary rehabilitation group will receive respiratory muscle training together with upper extremity aerobic exercises, while the control group will receive a conventional exercise program. Assessments will be performed before the intervention, at week 3, and after the 6-week intervention period. The results may help improve rehabilitation approaches for people with upper extremity burns.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Burn Injury
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program; Other: Conventional Exercise Program

Detailed Description

Burn injuries may lead to physical limitations, functional loss, and respiratory problems. In individuals with upper extremity burns, pain, scar tissue, and reduced mobility of the shoulder girdle and chest wall may affect breathing mechanics and respiratory muscle performance. These changes may reduce ventilatory capacity and functional capacity during daily activities.

This randomized controlled clinical study will investigate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program in adults with upper extremity burns. The study will be conducted at the Burn Center of Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital. Adults aged 18 to 65 years who had an upper extremity burn injury 3 to 12 months before enrollment and who meet the eligibility criteria will be included.

A total of 64 participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: a pulmonary rehabilitation group and a control group. The pulmonary rehabilitation group will receive respiratory muscle training combined with upper extremity aerobic exercises. The control group will receive a conventional exercise program. The intervention period will last 6 weeks.

Participants will be assessed at three time points: before the intervention, at week 3, and after the 6-week intervention. Respiratory function will be assessed using spirometry, including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and maximum voluntary ventilation. Respiratory muscle activity will be evaluated using surface electromyography. Respiratory muscle thickness and diaphragm excursion will be assessed using ultrasonography. Functional capacity will be measured with the 6-minute walk test.

The study aims to determine whether pulmonary rehabilitation can improve respiratory function, respiratory muscle activity, respiratory muscle morphology, and functional capacity in individuals with upper extremity burns.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 64
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Kartal
    • Istanbul, Kartal, Turkey (Türkiye), 34865
      • Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital Burn Unit

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 to 65 years
• History of upper extremity burn injury 3 to 12 months before enrollment
• Clinically stable condition, including oxygen saturation greater than 92% and cardiac stability
• Ability to communicate and follow instructions, with no hearing, cognitive, or motor communication impairment
• Voluntary agreement to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Burns involving the lower extremity, trunk, or head and neck regions
• History of chronic pulmonary, cardiac, neurological, or musculoskeletal disease
• Dependence on mechanical ventilation or respiratory support
• Severe psychiatric disorder or cognitive impairment
• Pregnancy

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Group; Participants in this group will receive a 6-week pulmonary rehabilitation program including respiratory muscle training and upper extremity aerobic exercises.	Other: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program; Participants in the experimental group will receive a 6-week pulmonary rehabilitation program in addition to the conventional exercise program. The pulmonary rehabilitation program will include respiratory muscle training and upper extremity aerobic exercises. Respiratory muscle training will be performed to improve inspiratory and expiratory muscle performance. Upper extremity aerobic exercises will be planned according to the participant's clinical status and tolerance, with the aim of improving respiratory function, chest wall mobility, exercise tolerance, and functional capacity. Exercises will be progressed gradually during the intervention period, and participants will be monitored for dyspnea, fatigue, oxygen desaturation, and pain during the sessions.; Other: Conventional Exercise Program; Participants in both groups will receive a 6-week conventional exercise program as standard rehabilitation. The program will include routine rehabilitation exercises commonly used for individuals with upper extremity burns. Exercises will focus on maintaining and improving upper extremity range of motion, flexibility, scar-related mobility, posture, and functional use of the affected limb. The program may include active and active-assisted range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, mobility exercises for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, and functional upper extremity activities according to the participant's clinical condition and tolerance.
Active Comparator: Conventional Exercise Group; Participants in this group will receive a 6-week conventional exercise program.	Other: Conventional Exercise Program; Participants in both groups will receive a 6-week conventional exercise program as standard rehabilitation. The program will include routine rehabilitation exercises commonly used for individuals with upper extremity burns. Exercises will focus on maintaining and improving upper extremity range of motion, flexibility, scar-related mobility, posture, and functional use of the affected limb. The program may include active and active-assisted range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, mobility exercises for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, and functional upper extremity activities according to the participant's clinical condition and tolerance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Forced Vital Capacity	Pulmonary function will be assessed using forced vital capacity measured with a portable spirometry device according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society standards. Forced vital capacity will be reported in liters.	Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second	Pulmonary function will be assessed using forced expiratory volume in one second measured with a portable spirometry device according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society standards. Forced expiratory volume in one second will be reported in liters.	Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Maximum Voluntary Ventilation	Pulmonary function will be assessed using maximum voluntary ventilation measured with a portable spirometry device according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society standards. Maximum voluntary ventilation will be reported in liters per minute.	Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Diaphragm Thickness During Inspiration	Diaphragm thickness during inspiration will be assessed using ultrasonography to evaluate changes in diaphragm morphology over time. Diaphragm thickness during inspiration will be reported in millimeters.	Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Diaphragm Thickness During Expiration	Diaphragm thickness during expiration will be assessed using ultrasonography to evaluate changes in diaphragm morphology over time. Diaphragm thickness during expiration will be reported in millimeters.	Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in Diaphragm Excursion	Diaphragm excursion will be assessed using ultrasonography to evaluate changes in diaphragm mobility over time. Diaphragm excursion will be reported in millimeters.	Baseline, week 3, and week 6
Change in 6-Minute Walk Distance	Functional capacity will be assessed using the 6-minute walk test. The distance walked during the test will be recorded in meters.	Baseline, week 3, and week 6

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Fenerbahce University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sümeyye Akçay, Fenerbahçe University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 4, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 4, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Respiratory Function; Upper Extremity Burns
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Pathologic Processes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Respiratory Aspiration; Burns
• Other Study ID Numbers: KartalH

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared because of participant privacy and confidentiality considerations. The data collected in this study will be used only for the purposes described in the approved study protocol and informed consent form. De-identified aggregate results may be presented in scientific meetings or published in scientific journals.

Drug and device information, study documents

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