Effect of Digital Physiotherapy Practice on Pulmonary Function, Muscle Strength, Quality of Life After Thoracic Surgery

NCT ID: NCT07133672

Last Updated: 2025-08-21

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 26 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-08-30
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-10

Brief Summary

Thoracic surgery is the primary intervention used in the treatment of diseases affecting the lungs, pleura, chest wall, and mediastinum. Postoperative changes occur in both lung functions and clinical symptoms due to the procedure itself and patient-related factors. After thoracic surgery, patients often experience reduced exercise tolerance and impaired respiratory functions, negatively affecting their participation in daily activities, functional levels, and quality of life. In open thoracotomies, the incision site, severed muscles, and the size of the incision can impact upper extremity and trunk functions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of physiotherapy applied through digital methods on respiratory functions, respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, upper extremity muscle strength, and quality of life in patients who have undergone thoracic surgery.

Detailed Description

Thoracic surgery is a primary intervention used in the treatment of diseases of the lungs, pleura, chest wall, and mediastinum. Following surgery, changes in lung function and associated clinical symptoms may occur due to both the surgical procedure itself and patient-specific factors, and these may present intraoperatively and/or postoperatively. These changes are primarily restrictive in nature and may include a characteristic reduction in lung volume, a decrease in functional residual capacity that may lead to atelectasis, slowed mucociliary clearance, gas exchange abnormalities, and especially reduced chest expansion on the operated side. Additionally, problems in surfactant production and diaphragmatic dysfunction may also arise. Furthermore, the use of surgical drains, the nature of the surgical procedure, the integrity of the remaining lung tissue after resection, and the limitations caused by enforced immobility can all contribute to the development of various postoperative complications. Preventing and/or managing these postoperative complications is essential for enabling the patient to return to functional life, reducing long-term healthcare utilization, and improving survival rates. For this reason, pulmonary rehabilitation is indicated after thoracic surgeries. One of the methods of delivering rehabilitation is telerehabilitation, which allows patients to access therapy remotely. In this study, however, the term Digital Physiotherapy, which is a more current and comprehensive term recommended by World Physiotherapy, will be used. In the literature review, it was observed that most postoperative studies following thoracic surgery focus on the in-hospital period, while studies conducted after discharge are usually of short duration. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of long-term physiotherapy delivered through digital methods following thoracic surgery.

Conditions

Thoracic Surgery

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Training group

During the initial face-to-face assessment session, patients will be provided with general information regarding key points to consider following thoracic surgery. Instruction on the proper techniques for performing breathing exercises will also be given. The exercise training sessions will be structured to include approximately 10 minutes of warm-up, around 30 minutes of goal-oriented exercises, and a final 10-minute cool-down period, resulting in a total average duration of 50 minutes per session.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

Exercise sessions will begin with flexibility exercises targeting the shoulder and neck regions. This will be followed by breathing exercises utilizing fundamental respiratory techniques. Extremity exercises will include movements focused on the upper extremities and trunk, with progression applied according to a pre-established plan. Each session will conclude with cool-down exercises. Additionally, patients will be encouraged to engage in regular walking on a weekly basis.

Control group

During the initial face-to-face assessment session, patients will be provided with general information regarding key points to consider following thoracic surgery.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard care

Intervention Type: OTHER

Patients will receive education regarding the critical aspects to consider after hospital discharge. Standard postoperative care protocols will be implemented.

Interventions

Exercise

Exercise sessions will begin with flexibility exercises targeting the shoulder and neck regions. This will be followed by breathing exercises utilizing fundamental respiratory techniques. Extremity exercises will include movements focused on the upper extremities and trunk, with progression applied according to a pre-established plan. Each session will conclude with cool-down exercises. Additionally, patients will be encouraged to engage in regular walking on a weekly basis.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standard care

Patients will receive education regarding the critical aspects to consider after hospital discharge. Standard postoperative care protocols will be implemented.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients who underwent open thoracotomy
• Agreement to participate in the study
• Being between the ages of 18-75
• Having an internet connection at home and being able to participate in video-conference sessions via desktop-laptop computers, smartphones, electronic tablets, etc.

Exclusion Criteria

• Pneumonectomy surgeries
• Having a cardiac, orthopedic, neurological or systemic disease that would prevent exercise
• Having mental, communication or behavioral disorders that would cause problems in understanding commands and questions or performing exercises.
• Participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program before surgery
• Having been hospitalized for any pulmonary disease during the study

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Bezmialem Vakif University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ayşegül Şahin

Physiotherapist

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Other Identifiers

BVUaysegul001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id