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Effect of Thoracic Mobilization in People With Central Obesity

11 september 2026 bijgewerkt door: 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 three 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.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Actief, niet wervend

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

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 three 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.

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Geschat)

60

Fase

  • Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studie Locaties

  • Egypte
      • Minya, Egypte
        • Deraya University

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

  • Volwassen

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Nee

Beschrijving

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.

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

  • Primair doel: Behandeling
  • Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
  • Interventioneel model: Parallelle opdracht
  • Masker: Geen (open label)

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm
Interventie / Behandeling
Actieve vergelijker: low carbohydrate and Aerobic Exercises
will receive standardized diet and aerobic exercise.
Gedragsmatig: low carbohydrate
Standardized low-carbohydrate dietary program administered for 8 weeks.
Gedragsmatig: Aerobic Exercise
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.
Experimenteel: Mulligan Thoracic Mobilization
will receive Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension three times per week for 8 weeks in addition to a standardized diet and aerobic exercise.
Gedragsmatig: low carbohydrate
Standardized low-carbohydrate dietary program administered for 8 weeks.
Gedragsmatig: Aerobic Exercise
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.
Procedure: Mulligan Thoracic Mobilization
  • Technique: Thoracic mobilization with movement (MWM) in extension performed by a trained physiotherapist.
  • Performed 3×/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.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Forced Vital Capacity
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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).

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Functional capacity
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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).

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

Cairo University

Onderzoekers

  • Studie stoel: Mona A Abdelwahab, Assistant Prof, Cairo University
  • Studie directeur: Shaimaa T Mohamed, Lecturer, Cairo University

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Werkelijk)

25 juli 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

15 december 2026

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

10 februari 2027

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

14 juli 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

17 juli 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

21 juli 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

15 september 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

11 september 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 september 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • P.T.REC/012/006582

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

NEE

Beschrijving IPD-plan

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

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

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