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Motor Imagery-Supported Thoracic Expansion in Children With Spina Bifida
Sponsor: Karabuk University
Summary
This study will investigate whether adding motor imagery to thoracic expansion exercises can improve respiratory function in children with spina bifida. Motor imagery involves mentally imagining a movement or bodily action without physically performing an additional movement. Children with spina bifida will participate in two exercise sessions separated by a 14-day washout period. In one session, participants will perform thoracic expansion exercises alone. In the other session, the same thoracic expansion exercises will be combined with guided motor imagery. The order of the two sessions will be randomized. Respiratory function will be assessed before and immediately after each session. The primary outcome will be the change in forced vital capacity (FVC). Additional outcomes will include forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75), peak expiratory flow (PEF), chest expansion, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2). The study aims to determine whether combining motor imagery with thoracic expansion exercises produces greater immediate improvements in respiratory function than thoracic expansion exercises alone.
Official title: Acute Effects of Motor Imagery-Supported Thoracic Expansion Exercises on Respiratory Function in Children With Spina Bifida: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
7 Years - 18 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2026-10-12
Completion Date
2027-02-05
Last Updated
2026-09-29
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Thoracic Expansion Exercises
Participants will perform approximately 15 minutes of thoracic expansion exercises targeting the upper, middle, and lower thoracic regions. The physiotherapist will facilitate expansion of the targeted chest wall region during inspiration using standardized verbal and manual guidance. When appropriate, mild manual resistance may be applied during inspiration and individually adjusted according to the participant's ability.
Motor Imagery-Supported Thoracic Expansion Exercises
Participants will perform the same approximately 15-minute thoracic expansion exercise protocol while receiving standardized guided motor imagery instructions. During inspiration, participants will be instructed to imagine the expansion of the chest as a rising wave, and during expiration to imagine the wave gradually receding. The imagery will be synchronized with thoracic expansion and the level of manual resistance applied by the physiotherapist.
Locations (1)
Karabuk University
Karabük, Karabük Province, Turkey (Türkiye)