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The Impact of Diaphragmatic Breathing Instructions and Inspiratory Pressures on Diaphragm Contraction in Healthy Adults

Completed
Conditions
Diaphragm
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Various intensities of inspiratory muscle training
Registration Number
NCT06347549
Lead Sponsor
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Brief Summary

This is a cross-sectional obsessional study.

This study aims (1) to investigate the relationship between sternocleidomastoid muscle recruitment and diaphragm thickness fraction during increasing inspiratory resistance in healthy adults; (2) to compare diaphragmatic and sternocleidomastoid muscle recruitment patterns with and without a standard diaphragmatic breathing instruction with increasing inspiratory resistance in healthy adults.

Participants will be asked to breathe through a pressure threshold inspiratory loading device under different inspiratory resistances with and without a standard diaphragmatic breathing instruction. sternocleidomastoid muscle activity will be measured with surface electromyography, and diaphragm thickness will be assessed with ultrasonography.

Detailed Description

Upon arrival at the laboratory, eligible participants will first perform a standard spirometry lung function test. The maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) will be determined with a pressure threshold inspiratory loading device (POWERbreathe, K2). Each participant will then be instructed to use the device to perform, in random order, 10 breaths at an inspiratory intensity of 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% MIP. A rest period of 15 minutes will be allowed between each inspiratory pressure set of 10 breaths. Simultaneous surface electromyographic (sEMG) recording of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle and ultrasound of right diaphragmatic thickness will be conducted during each breath.

The entire recording procedure will be repeated on a separate day. During the repeat measurements, participants will be provided with specific breathing instruction to focus on the use of the diaphragm and to inhale air to the lower part of the chest. Practice trials will be conducted to ensure participant's understanding of diaphragmatic breathing.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
62
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participants ≥18 years of age with normal health
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnancy.
  • Participants with known cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal or psychiatric disorders.
  • Participants with respiratory symptoms (from flu or other respiratory infection during the 2 weeks prior to measurements.
  • Participants can not cooperate the maximal inspiratory pressure measurement.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Healthy adultsVarious intensities of inspiratory muscle trainingParticipants ≥18 years of age with normal health will be recruited in this study.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Diaphragmatic thickening fractionThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Diaphragmatic thickening fraction is determined by "(thickness of the diaphragm at end inspiratory - thickness at end expiratory)/thickness at end expiratory". Diaphragmatic thickness will be measured by ultrasonography.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Muscle activation of the sternocleidomastoid muscleThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Surface electromyography will be used to measure accessory inspiratory muscle (sternocleidomastoid muscles) activity during each inspiratory muscle training intensity.

Perceived Exertion Borg scaleThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

This is a vertical scale quantified from 0 to 10, where 0 represents no symptoms, and 10 represents the maximum symptoms. The Borg score provides an individual measurement of the exercise intensity.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

🇨🇳

Hong Kong, None Selected, China

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