Effects of Myofascial Release on Cardiac Patients After Median Sternotomy
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: myofascial release+Routine Physical Therapy, Routine Physical therapy.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Valve Heart Disease. Basic parameters: from 18 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
- Taiwan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
After deciding to join this study and signing the informed consent form, participants will undergo the following interventions: All participants will receive a preoperative assessment (Tp) before surgery. Within five days after transferring from the ICU to the general ward, participants will receive a baseline assessment (T0). After completing seven sessions of myofascial release (MFR), a post-intervention assessment (T1) will be conducted. Assessments include maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), pulmonary function tests, mid- and lower-thoracic mobility, surface electromyography (sEMG) to measure diaphragmatic and sternocleidomastoid muscle activity, and pain scores. Pulmonary function tests include forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive myofascial release therapy in addition to routine physical therapy in the general ward. Routine therapy includes daily physical therapy sessions such as out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry training (Triflow), and functional exercises. The MFR intervention consists of three steps: The therapist places both hands on the thoracic outlet, with the index and middle fingers above the clavicle. One hand is placed on the anterior chest and the other hand parallel on the participant's back. Both hands are placed on the anterolateral region of the thoracoabdominal diaphragm. During each step, participants are instructed to take 10 slow, deep breaths and direct airflow toward the therapist's hands. Each session lasts approximately 15 minutes, once daily, for seven sessions. The control group will receive only routine physical therapy (out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry, and functional exercises) without additional myofascial release therapy.
Interventions
- Behavioral myofascial release+Routine Physical Therapy
Participants in the intervention group will receive seven daily sessions of myofascial release (MFR), approximately 15 minutes each, in addition to routine physical therapy. Routine therapy includes out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry training (Triflow), and functional exercises. The MFR procedure consists of three steps: Therapist places both hands on the thoracic outlet, with index and middle fingers above the clavicle. One hand is placed on the anterior chest and the other parallel - Behavioral Routine Physical therapy
Participants in the control group will receive routine physical therapy only, including out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry training (Triflow), and functional exercises. No additional myofascial release therapy will be provided.
Primary outcome measures
- Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) [Time frame: 1. Baseline 2. Day 0-5 post-ICU transfer 3. Week 1]
Secondary outcome measures (7)
- 1. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) [Time frame: 1. Baseline 2. Day 0-5 post-ICU transfer 3. Week 1]
- Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) [Time frame: 1. Baseline 2. Day 0-5 post-ICU transfer 3. Week 1]
- FEV1/FVC ratio [Time frame: 1. Baseline 2. Day 0-5 post-ICU transfer 3. Week 1]
- Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) [Time frame: 1. Baseline 2. Day 0-5 post-ICU transfer 3. Week 1]
- Middle and Lower chest wall mobility [Time frame: 1. Baseline 2. Day 0-5 post-ICU transfer 3. Week 1]
- Diaphragm and sternocleidomastoid surface electromyography (sEMG) [Time frame: 1. Baseline 2. Day 0-5 post-ICU transfer 3. Week 1]
- Pain intensity [Time frame: 1. Baseline 2. Day 0-5 post-ICU transfer 3. Week 1]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Able to communicate verbally and follow instructions
- Diagnosed by a physician with coronary artery disease, valvular disease, or aortic disease
- Undergoing median sternotomy
- Able to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
- Presence of a ventricular assist device (VAD)
- Existing central nervous system disorders (e.g., hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury)
- Cognitive impairment or inability to understand/follow instructions
- Diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- History of previous thoracic surgery
- ICU stay longer than 14 days
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
Taiwan · 1 center
- Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital — Kaohsiung City
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07649330 · AF02-008/15.1