Effect of Physiotherapeutic Clavipectoral and Sternoclavicular Fascia Release on Cardiopulmonary Parameters Post Cardiac valve replacement Surgery A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The study titled "Effect of Physiotherapeutic Clavipectoral and Sternoclavicular Fascia Release on Cardiopulmonary Parameters in Post Cardiac Valve Replacement Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial" will be conducted to assess the impact of fascial release techniques on cardiopulmonary and other functional outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement surgery. Subjects will be selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients aged between 40 to 80 years, of either sex, who will undergo uncomplicated elective cardiac surgery and are medically stable, will be included. Those with unstable angina, uncontrolled heart rhythm abnormalities, serious coexisting illnesses, or a prior history of cardiac or lung disease will be excluded. All participants will provide informed consent after receiving a detailed explanation of the procedure.

A total of 64 patients will initially be assessed, with some expected to be excluded or refuse participation. The remaining subjects will be randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will receive conventional cardiac rehabilitation, while Group B will receive additional physiotherapeutic intervention involving clavipectoral and sternoclavicular fascial release. The study will follow a randomized controlled trial design, and subjects will be selected using convenience sampling followed by random allocation. Data will be collected at three different time points: preoperatively on day zero, and postoperatively on day five and day ten. Variables to be measured will include respiratory parameters such as respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, chest expansion at various thoracic levels, and peak expiratory flow rate; cardiac functions like heart rate and blood pressure; and other outcomes such as craniovertebral angle, balance, functional capacity, pain, and psychological parameters including depression, anxiety, and stress. The study will be carried out over a four-month period at a reputed hospital in Delhi and aims to determine whether fascial release techniques provide additional benefits over standard rehabilitation alone.