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Acapella vs Flutter Devices for Improving Breathing and Lung Function After Lobectomy

27 de julio de 2026 actualizado por: Riphah International University

Comparative Effects of Acapella and Flutter Devices on Secretion Clearance, Dyspnea, Arterial Blood Gases, and Lung Function Test in Post-Lobectomy Patients

Lobectomy patients frequently experience postoperative respiratory complications such as secretion retention, dyspnea, impaired gas exchange, and reduced lung function, which can delay recovery. Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) devices such as Acapella and Flutter are commonly used to improve airway clearance and pulmonary function. This study aims to compare the effects of Acapella and Flutter devices on secretion clearance, dyspnea, arterial blood gases, and lung function in post-lobectomy patients.

Descripción general del estudio

Descripción detallada

Lobectomy is a common surgical procedure performed for the treatment of various pulmonary conditions, particularly lung cancer. Although effective, the procedure is often associated with postoperative respiratory complications including mucus retention, reduced lung volumes, impaired ventilation, and difficulty breathing. These complications can prolong hospital stay, increase the risk of infection, and negatively affect functional recovery.

Respiratory physiotherapy plays an important role in preventing and managing these complications. Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) devices are widely used to facilitate airway clearance by generating positive expiratory pressure and oscillations during exhalation. These mechanisms help mobilize retained secretions, improve ventilation, enhance lung expansion, and support overall pulmonary recovery.

Acapella and Flutter are two commonly used OPEP devices. Both have demonstrated beneficial effects on mucus clearance, pulmonary function, oxygenation, and symptom management in patients with respiratory disorders and postoperative conditions. Previous studies have reported improvements in respiratory parameters and functional outcomes following the use of these devices as part of pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Despite the growing use of OPEP devices in clinical practice, evidence directly comparing Acapella and Flutter in patients recovering from lobectomy remains limited. Most available studies have focused on chronic respiratory diseases or evaluated these devices independently rather than comparing their effectiveness in a postoperative population. Furthermore, limited information is available regarding their relative effects on secretion clearance, dyspnea, arterial blood gases, and lung function after lobectomy. Therefore, this study is designed to address this gap and provide evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of Acapella and Flutter devices in postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation.

Tipo de estudio

Intervencionista

Inscripción (Estimado)

28

Fase

  • No aplica

Contactos y Ubicaciones

Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.

Estudio Contacto

Ubicaciones de estudio

    • Punjab Province
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistán, 55000
        • Reclutamiento
        • Riphah International University
        • Contacto:
        • Investigador principal:
          • Humera Ayub, MSCPPT
        • Investigador principal:
          • Tanzeela Nazir, MSCPPT

Criterios de participación

Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.

Criterio de elegibilidad

Edades elegibles para estudiar

  • Adulto

Acepta Voluntarios Saludables

No

Descripción

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients aged 35 to 54 years
  • Both male and female patients
  • Patients who have undergone lobectomy surgery
  • Hemodynamically stable patients
  • Patients with adequate respiratory function (able to maintain oxygenation)
  • Patients 48 hours post-surgery
  • Patients who provide written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Hemodynamically unstable patients
  • Patients within less than 48 hours post-surgery
  • Presence of pneumothorax or air leak complications
  • Patients with recent major trauma or additional surgery
  • Patients with unstable cardiac conditions
  • Patients with massive hemoptysis
  • Patients unable to cooperate or perform breathing exercises with devices
  • Any contraindication to airway clearance techniques as judged by the clinician

Plan de estudios

Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.

¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?

Detalles de diseño

  • Propósito principal: Tratamiento
  • Asignación: Aleatorizado
  • Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación paralela
  • Enmascaramiento: Ninguno (etiqueta abierta)

Armas e Intervenciones

Grupo de participantes/brazo
Intervención / Tratamiento
Experimental: Acapella Device Group
Participants in this arm will receive airway clearance therapy using the Acapella device. The device combines both positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and airway vibration to enhance mobilization of bronchial secretions. Patients will be trained to perform standardized breathing techniques using the device. The intervention will be administered twice daily for 7 days, under supervision during hospital stay or as per protocol guidelines. Standard post-lobectomy care will be continued alongside the intervention.
1. Acapella Device Therapy (Experimental Arm 1): Participants will use the Acapella device, which provides a combination of oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) and airway vibration to facilitate mucus clearance. Patients will be trained in proper technique and will perform the intervention twice daily for 7 days. Each session will follow a standardized protocol to ensure consistency in breathing pattern and device usage.
Comparador activo: Flutter Device Group
Participants in this arm will receive airway clearance therapy using the Flutter device, which generates oscillatory positive expiratory pressure to loosen and mobilize airway secretions. Patients will be instructed in proper usage technique to ensure effective airflow oscillation during exhalation. The intervention will be performed twice daily for 7 days, following a standardized protocol similar to the Acapella group. Routine post-operative care will be provided in addition to the intervention.

Flutter Device Therapy (Experimental Arm 2):

Participants will use the Flutter device, which generates oscillating positive expiratory pressure during exhalation to mobilize bronchial secretions. Patients will be instructed in correct positioning and breathing technique. The intervention will also be administered twice daily for 7 days using a standardized protocol.

¿Qué mide el estudio?

Medidas de resultado primarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Change in Dyspnea Score
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Change in perceived breathlessness measured using the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale (0-10, higher scores indicate greater dyspnea).
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV₁)
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁) measured using spirometry and reported in liters (L).
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) measured using spirometry and reported in liters (L).
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
FEV₁/FVC Ratio
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV₁/FVC) measured using spirometry and reported as a percentage (%).
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5

Medidas de resultado secundarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Sputum Volume
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Volume of sputum expectorated over a 24-hour period, reported in milliliters (mL), to assess airway secretion clearance.
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Partial Pressure of Oxygen (PaO₂)
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) measured using arterial blood gas analysis and reported in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (PaCO₂)
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) measured using arterial blood gas analysis and reported in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Arterial Blood pH
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Arterial blood pH measured using arterial blood gas analysis.
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Bicarbonate Concentration (HCO₃-)
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5
Arterial bicarbonate (HCO₃-) concentration measured using arterial blood gas analysis and reported in millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 3, and Postoperative Day 5

Otras medidas de resultado

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Presence of Postoperative Atelectasis on Chest X-ray
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1 and Postoperative Day 5
Number of participants with radiographic evidence of postoperative atelectasis as assessed by standard chest radiography.
Postoperative Day 1 and Postoperative Day 5
Presence of Pleural Effusion on Chest X-ray
Periodo de tiempo: Postoperative Day 1 and Postoperative Day 5
Number of participants with radiographic evidence of pleural effusion as assessed by standard chest radiography.
Postoperative Day 1 and Postoperative Day 5

Colaboradores e Investigadores

Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.

Investigadores

  • Investigador principal: Tanzeela Nazir, MSCPPT, Riphah International University

Fechas de registro del estudio

Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados ​​por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.

Fechas importantes del estudio

Inicio del estudio (Actual)

20 de junio de 2026

Finalización primaria (Estimado)

15 de noviembre de 2026

Finalización del estudio (Estimado)

15 de diciembre de 2026

Fechas de registro del estudio

Enviado por primera vez

21 de julio de 2026

Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

27 de julio de 2026

Publicado por primera vez (Actual)

30 de julio de 2026

Actualizaciones de registros de estudio

Última actualización publicada (Actual)

30 de julio de 2026

Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

27 de julio de 2026

Última verificación

1 de julio de 2026

Más información

Términos relacionados con este estudio

Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)

¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?

NO

Descripción del plan IPD

Individual Participant Data (IPD) from this study will not be shared publicly due to ethical and privacy considerations, including the risk of identifying post-lobectomy patients from a small sample size. Additionally, the data may contain sensitive clinical information such as arterial blood gas results and postoperative respiratory status, which require strict confidentiality.

However, de-identified aggregate data may be available upon reasonable request from the corresponding investigator, subject to institutional approval and ethical committee permissions.

Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio

Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

producto fabricado y exportado desde los EE. UU.

No

Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .

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