Simple coughing exercises may help kids breathe better after heart surgery

NCT ID NCT07405333

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Ibn Al-Bitar Specialized Hospital for Cardiac Surgery

    RECRUITING

    Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Ibn Al-Nafis Hospital for Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery

    RECRUITING

    Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Karbala, Karbala Governorate, Iraq

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Iraqi Center for Heart Diseases

    RECRUITING

    Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••