Hands-On therapy may ease COPD breathing trouble
NCT ID NCT06865703
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether specific osteopathic techniques (rib rising and thoracic lymphatic pump) combined with a manual diaphragmatic release could improve breathing in 66 people with stable moderate-to-severe COPD, aged 60-75. Participants received the hands-on therapy, and researchers measured diaphragm movement and thickness using ultrasound, along with shortness of breath scores. The goal was to see if these gentle manual techniques can help ease breathing difficulties in COPD.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- osteopathic manipulative techniques (rib rising, thoracic lymphatic pump) plus diaphragmatic release
- What this could lead to
- If effective, these hands-on techniques could offer a drug-free way to improve breathing and reduce shortness of breath in people with COPD.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with no phase designation, so results may not be generalizable. The techniques are manual and operator-dependent, and any benefit may be modest or temporary.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Faculty of Physical Therapy Beni Suef University
Cairo, Egypt
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