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Effectiveness of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Sponsor: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hospital
Summary
This study aims to examine the effects of Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) on pulmonary function, sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and dyspnea in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A block-randomized crossover trial will be conducted at the pulmonology outpatient clinic of a regional teaching hospital in eastern Taiwan. Participants aged 40-90 years with physician-diagnosed COPD (post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC \< 70%) will be randomly allocated into two groups. The total observation period is 16 weeks with 5 data collection time points: T0 (baseline), T1 (Week 4), T2 (Week 8), T3 (Week 12), and T4 (Week 16). Each intervention period lasts 8 weeks. Primary outcomes are dyspnea (mMRC) and COPD symptom burden (CAT). Secondary outcomes include pulmonary function (FEV₁, FVC), sleep quality (PSQI), and depressive symptoms (DASS-21).
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
40 Years - 90 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2026-09-01
Completion Date
2027-06-30
Last Updated
2026-09-14
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
ACBT+OPEP
Participants undergo an 8-week home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program combining ACBT with O-PEP therapy. At baseline (Week 0), each participant receives individual face-to-face instruction covering the three ACBT phases - Breathing Control (BC), Thoracic Expansion Exercises (TEE), and Forced Expiration Technique (FET) - and correct use of the tube-valve O-PEP device. Competency is verified by return demonstration. A practice manual, self-monitoring diary, and instructional videos are provided. Each session follows the sequence: BC → TEE ×3 → FET, immediately followed by 10-15 O-PEP exhalations, then FET, coughing, and expectoration. Sessions are performed twice daily (≥8 hours apart), 30-60 minutes per session, for 8 weeks. Biweekly remote monitoring is conducted via LINE. Upon completion, the O-PEP device is retrieved to prevent carryover contamination.
Usual Care (Standard Medical Care)
Participants receive standard outpatient medical care only, consisting of routine pulmonology follow-up, prescribed pharmacological management (bronchodilators and/or inhaled corticosteroids as clinically indicated), and standard respiratory health education including disease self-management, smoking cessation, pursed-lip breathing, and diaphragmatic breathing. No ACBT training, O-PEP device, or individualized airway clearance instruction is provided during this period.
Locations (1)
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hospital
Yilan, Taiwan, Taiwan