Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Respiratory Parameters in Upper Extremity Burns

Official title

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

Overview

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.

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.

Interventions

• 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 improvi
• 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, mobilit

Primary outcome measures

• Change in Forced Vital Capacity [Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6]
• Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second [Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6]
• Change in Maximum Voluntary Ventilation [Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6]
• Change in Diaphragm Thickness During Inspiration [Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6]
• Change in Diaphragm Thickness During Expiration [Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6]
• Change in Diaphragm Excursion [Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6]
• Change in 6-Minute Walk Distance [Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and week 6]

Eligibility criteria

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

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Single blind

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center

• Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital Burn Unit — Istanbul

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07577960 · KartalH

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗