Inspiratory and Trunk Muscle Activity During IMT on Stable and Unstable Surfaces in Stroke Patients

Launched by HONG KONG METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY · Mar 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how different surfaces affect the muscles we use for breathing in stroke patients. Specifically, researchers want to see how the diaphragm (the main muscle for breathing), as well as some neck and trunk muscles, work when patients do breathing exercises on stable surfaces (like a solid floor) versus unstable surfaces (like a balance ball). This study aims to better understand how these muscles work together during breathing training, which could help improve rehabilitation for stroke survivors.

To participate in this trial, candidates must be between 40 and 80 years old, have had a stroke within the last 1 to 12 months, and be able to breathe on their own and follow instructions. They should not have any recent surgeries, cognitive impairments, or conditions that could interfere with the study. Participants will engage in breathing exercises on both types of surfaces as part of the study. It's important to know that this trial is still in the planning stages and has not yet started recruiting participants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 40 years and \< 80 years
• • Breathing spontaneously
• • Clinically diagnosed with ischemic and/or hemorrhagic stroke
• • Stroke duration from onset between 1 and 12 months
• • No thoracic or abdominal surgery in the past 6 months
• • No cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥ 26)
• • Able to understand and follow verbal instructions
• • No facial palsy or only mild facial palsy without limitation of labial occlusion
• • Able to complete all loaded breathing tests on both stable and unstable surfaces included in this study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Acute myocardial infarction or acute heart failure
• • Acute pain in any part of the body
• • History of chronic respiratory illness or positive clinical signs of impaired respiratory function (such as shortness of breath, hypoxemia, chronic cough, and sputum retention)
• • Presence of a nasal feeding tube, tracheal tube, or any condition that prevents the measurement or implementation of the study procedures