Questa pagina è stata tradotta automaticamente e l'accuratezza della traduzione non è garantita. Si prega di fare riferimento al Versione inglese per un testo di partenza.

Effect of Thoracic Mobilization in People With Central Obesity

17 luglio 2026 aggiornato da: Abd El-Rahman Ayman Mohamed Abd El-Monem, Cairo University

Effect of Mulligan Thoracic Mobilization on Ventilatory Functions and Chest Wall Expansion in Central Obesity

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension improves ventilatory functions and chest wall expansion in adults with central obesity. It will also evaluate whether adding Mulligan thoracic mobilization to a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise provides greater benefits than diet and exercise alone.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does Mulligan thoracic mobilization improve ventilatory functions (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC ratio, and MVV) in adults with central obesity? Does Mulligan thoracic mobilization improve chest wall expansion, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life?

Researchers will compare Mulligan thoracic mobilization combined with a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise to a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise alone to determine whether the addition of thoracic mobilization improves respiratory outcomes.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Receive an individualized low-carbohydrate diet and supervised aerobic exercise for 8 weeks.

Receive Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension five times per week for 8 weeks if assigned to the intervention group.

Undergo assessments of ventilatory functions, chest wall expansion, functional capacity, and quality of life before and after the intervention.

Panoramica dello studio

Descrizione dettagliata

The Challenge: Central Obesity and Respiratory Dysfunction

Central obesity is a growing global health concern that affects not only metabolic and cardiovascular health but also respiratory function. Excess accumulation of abdominal and visceral fat mechanically restricts chest wall movement, limits diaphragmatic excursion, and reduces lung volumes, leading to impaired ventilatory function and decreased chest wall expansion. These respiratory limitations can contribute to dyspnea, reduced exercise tolerance, and poorer quality of life. Although weight loss through dietary modification and aerobic exercise remains the cornerstone of obesity management, these approaches do not directly address the mechanical restrictions imposed on the thoracic cage. Therefore, additional physiotherapy interventions targeting thoracic mobility may provide further improvements in respiratory function.

The Goal of the Study

This study aims to determine whether adding Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension to a standardized low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise program provides greater improvements in ventilatory functions and chest wall expansion than diet and exercise alone in adults with central obesity. The study will also investigate whether this intervention improves functional exercise capacity and health-related quality of life.

How the Study Works

The study will involve 60 adult males with central obesity who meet the study eligibility criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned into two equal groups:

The Mulligan Thoracic Mobilization Group: Participants will receive Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension performed by a trained physiotherapist five times per week for eight weeks. The mobilization will be applied to the mid-thoracic spine (T6-T8) using the Mobilization with Movement (MWM) concept while participants perform thoracic extension combined with deep inspiration. In addition, participants will follow an individualized low-carbohydrate diet and participate in a supervised aerobic exercise program.

The Control Group: Participants will receive the same individualized low-carbohydrate diet and supervised aerobic exercise program without Mulligan thoracic mobilization.

Both groups will participate in the intervention program for 8 weeks, with regular monitoring to ensure adherence and participant safety.

What Is Being Measured?

To determine the effectiveness of the intervention, the study will evaluate several important clinical outcomes:

Ventilatory Functions: Pulmonary function will be assessed using spirometry by measuring Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁), the FEV₁/FVC ratio, and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV).

Chest Wall Expansion: Chest wall mobility will be measured using a non-elastic tape measure at the fourth intercostal space and at the xiphoid process during maximal inspiration and expiration.

Functional Capacity: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) will be used to assess participants' functional exercise capacity.

Health-Related Quality of Life: Participants will complete the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to evaluate physical and mental aspects of quality of life.

Why This Matters

Respiratory impairment associated with central obesity is largely driven by mechanical restriction of the thorax, yet current obesity management strategies rarely address this component directly. By investigating the effects of Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension, this study aims to identify a safe, non-invasive, and clinically practical physiotherapy intervention that can complement conventional weight management. If effective, this approach may improve respiratory mechanics, enhance chest wall mobility, increase functional capacity, and improve quality of life for adults with central obesity while expanding the evidence base for manual therapy in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

60

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

Backup dei contatti dello studio

  • Nome: Alaa N Abdelhameed
  • Numero di telefono: 00201061382864

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto

Accetta volontari sani

No

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Males aged 25-35 years.
  • Presence of central obesity, defined as:

    • Waist circumference ≥102 cm in males.
    • Waist-hip ratio (WHR) ≥0.90 in males.
  • BMI from 30-39.9 kg/m².
  • Willing to comply with conventional physiotherapy (diet and exercise) and mobilization programs.
  • Medically stable individuals with a restrictive lung pattern (Normal FEV₁/FVC ratio and FVC < 80% of predicted).
  • Low level physical activity (using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version).
  • Non-smokers.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed COPD, asthma, or other chronic respiratory diseases.
  • Recent thoracic spine or rib injury/surgery.
  • Cardiovascular instability or uncontrolled hypertension.
  • Contraindications to manual therapy (e.g., osteoporosis, rib fractures, or spinal tumors).
  • Participation in any structured weight loss program or exercise regimen in the past 6 months.
  • History of bariatric surgery (e.g., gastric sleeve, gastric bypass).
  • Use of medications that affect body weight or metabolism (e.g., corticosteroids, antipsychotics, weight loss drugs).
  • Neurological or musculoskeletal conditions that limit mobility or exercise participation and interfere with gait.
  • Any acute respiratory infections in the past 6 weeks.

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Trattamento
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
  • Mascheramento: Nessuno (etichetta aperta)

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: Mulligan Thoracic Mobilization
will receive Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension five times per week for 8 weeks in addition to a standardized diet and aerobic exercise.
  • Technique: Thoracic mobilization with movement (MWM) in extension performed by a trained physiotherapist.
  • Performed 5×/week.
  • Total program duration: 8 weeks.
  • 3 sets × 10 repetitions per spinal level per session.
  • Hold time: thoracic extension maintained for approximately 6 seconds at the end of the movement.
  • Participant position: sitting at the edge of the treatment table with hands behind the neck.
  • Therapist technique: mobilizing force applied using the ulnar border of the hand over the spinous process in a cephalic-anterior direction.
  • Movement performed: deep inspiration combined with thoracic extension during the mobilization.
  • Target levels: Mid-thoracic region (T6-T8).
  • Session duration: The session duration was based on three sets of ten repetitions per spinal level, with each repetition held for approximately 6 seconds. A 30-second rest interval was provided between sets, resulting in an effective application time of about 4-5 minutes per level.
Standardized low-carbohydrate dietary program administered for 8 weeks.
Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week, at 55-69% HRmax or Borg RPE 12-14, progressing from 30 to 45 minutes per session.
Comparatore attivo: low carbohydrate and Aerobic Exercises
will receive standardized diet and aerobic exercise.
Standardized low-carbohydrate dietary program administered for 8 weeks.
Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week, at 55-69% HRmax or Borg RPE 12-14, progressing from 30 to 45 minutes per session.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Forced Vital Capacity
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Measured in liters using spirometry.
Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Measured in liters using spirometry.
Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second to Forced Vital Capacity
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Measured as a percentage using spirometry.
Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Maximum Voluntary Ventilation
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Measured in liters per minute using spirometry.
Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Chest Wall Expansion at the Fourth Intercostal Space
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Chest wall expansion measured in centimeters using a non-elastic tape measure at the fourth intercostal space.
Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Chest Wall Expansion at the Xiphoid Process Level
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Chest wall expansion measured in centimeters using a non-elastic tape measure at the level of the xiphoid process.
Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Functional capacity
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
assessed by 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
Change in Health-Related Quality of Life
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).
using 36 Item Short Form Health Survey (SF 36) Health-related quality of life will be measured using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Scores for each domain and the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better heal
Baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Investigatori

  • Cattedra di studio: Mona A Abdelwahab, Assistant Prof, Cairo University
  • Direttore dello studio: Shaimaa T Mohamed, Lecturer, Cairo University

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Stimato)

25 giugno 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

15 dicembre 2026

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

10 febbraio 2027

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

14 luglio 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

17 luglio 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

21 luglio 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

21 luglio 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

17 luglio 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 luglio 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

NO

Descrizione del piano IPD

Individual participant data will not be shared to maintain participant privacy and strictly adhere to confidentiality agreements.

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

Prove cliniche su Mulligan Thoracic Mobilization

3
Sottoscrivi