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Recruiting NCT07578870

Effects of Balloon Blowing Therapy and Bubble PEP on Oxygen Saturation, Dyspnea, and Enjoyment in Pediatric Pneumonia

No phase Interventional Pneumonia in Children

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Balloon Blowing Therapy, Bubble PEP.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Pneumonia in Children. Basic parameters: 6 years — 12 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Pakistan
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Comparative Effects of Balloon Blowing Therapy and Bubble PEP on Oxygen Saturation, Dyspnea, and Perceived Enjoyment in Children With Pneumonia

Overview

Pneumonia is a major cause of illness and death in children, leading to breathing difficulties and reduced oxygen levels due to impaired gas exchange. Non-pharmacological techniques like balloon blowing and Bubble PEP are simple, engaging methods used to improve respiratory function. This randomized clinical trial will compare the effects of Balloon Blowing Therapy and Bubble PEP on oxygen saturation, dyspnea, and enjoyment in 40 children with pediatric pneumonia over one week.

Detailed description

Pneumonia is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide and serious pediatric health concern. Symptoms including hypoxia, tachypnea, and dyspnea are brought on by inflammation and fluid buildup in the alveoli, which hinders gas exchange.Supportive oxygen therapy and antibiotics are usually used in conventional treatment, nonpharmacological therapies have become more prevalent to improve respiratory outcomes.Breathing techniques, such as bubble positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy and balloon blowing, are being used extensively to assist gas exchange, enhance lung function, and encourage airway clearing. These techniques are useful in children because these are easy to use, entertaining, and cost-effective.

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of Balloon Blowing Therapy (BBTG) and Bubble PEP Therapy (BPTG) on oxygen saturation, dyspnea, and perceived enjoyment in children with Pneumonia. Forty children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with pneumonia, fulfilling the eligibility criteria will be recruited through non-probability purposive sampling. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. Group A will receive Balloon Blowing Therapy along with baseline breathing techniques. Group B will receive Bubble PEP Therapy with the same baseline breathing techniques. Interventions will be administered twice daily in 5 consecutive days for 1 week. Outcome measures include oxygen saturation assessed via pulse oximeter, dyspnea assessed via Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and perceived enjoyment measured by a 5-point smiley Likert scale. Data will be analyzed using SPSS software.

Interventions

  • Device Balloon Blowing Therapy
    Balloon Blowing Therapy involves deep breathing followed by exhaling into a balloon to create positive pressure, improving lung expansion and airway clearance. It is combined with diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, performed twice daily in 5 days for 1 week
  • Device Bubble PEP
    Bubble PEP involves deep inhalation followed by exhalation through water to create resistance and positive pressure, improving lung expansion and airway clearance. It is combined with diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, performed twice in 5 days for 1 week

Primary outcome measures

  • Pulse oximeter [Time frame: 1 week]
  • Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale [Time frame: 1 week]
  • 5-point Likert Scale with Faces [Time frame: 1 week]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged 6 to 12 years
  • Medically stable and cleared to perform breathing exercises
  • Both genders will be included
  • Presence of dyspnea according to the patient's statement
  • Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) <94%

Exclusion criteria

  • Children who are critically ill patients on bi-pep or a ventilator, as well as patients who were intubated and uncooperative
  • Children with any oral surgery
  • Participants were excluded from the study, if they had any contraindication to the use PEP therapy (severe haemoptysis)
  • Refusal to participate or inability to complete full sessions

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
Other

Study locations

Pakistan · 1 center
  • Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore — Lahore

Publications

  • Ding L, Jiang Y. Biomarkers associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children: a review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2025 Mar 18;15:1552144. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1552144. eCollection 2025. PMID 40171163

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07578870 · REC/RCR&AHS/24/Mahnoor

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗