Simple coughing exercises may help kids breathe better after heart surgery

NCT ID NCT07405333

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Baghdad Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at two simple breathing exercises—coughing exercises and incentive spirometry (using a plastic device)—to see which helps children aged 6 to 18 recover better after heart surgery. About 99 children will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: coughing exercises, incentive spirometry, or standard care. They will do the exercises every 3 hours for the first 3 days after surgery, and researchers will track their breathing, oxygen levels, and overall recovery to find the most effective method.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: coughing exercises and incentive spirometry
What this could lead to: If this trial succeeds, it could show that simple coughing exercises are as good as or better than a device for helping children breathe easier and recover faster after heart surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 99 children, so results may not apply to all kids. The exercises are low-risk, but some children may find them uncomfortable or hard to do.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

congenital heart disease Respiratory Aspiration

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE (CHD) POSTOPERATIVE RECOVERY AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY DYSFUNCTION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Ibn Al-Bitar Specialized Hospital for Cardiac Surgery
RECRUITING

Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq
Ibn Al-Nafis Hospital for Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
RECRUITING

Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq
Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba Hospital
RECRUITING

Karbala, Karbala Governorate, Iraq
Iraqi Center for Heart Diseases
RECRUITING

Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq

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