Effects of Buteyko Breathing Versus Incentive Spirometry on Oxygen Saturation, Dyspnoea, Exercise Tolerance, and Sputum Clearance in Patients With Smog Induced Pneumonia
Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other, Device
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY
The current study will be a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 62 patients diagnosed with smog-induced pneumonia. The study will compare the effects of Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) with Incentive Spirometry (IS) on respiratory outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups using a concealed allocation method. The experimental group will receive Buteyko Breathing Technique along with standard medical care, while the control group will receive Incentive Spirometry along with standard medical care. Both interventions will be performed twice daily for approximately 20-30 minutes per session for seven days or until hospital discharge. Primary outcomes will include oxygen saturation (SpO₂), dyspnoea severity, exercise tolerance, sputum clearance, and respiratory symptom burden. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (Day 0), mid-intervention (Day 3), post-intervention (Week 2), and follow-up (Week 4). The study will be conducted at the pulmonary wards of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and The Indus Hospital, Lahore. The hypothesis is that Buteyko Breathing Technique may produce greater improvements in oxygen saturation, dyspnoea reduction, exercise tolerance, and sputum clearance compared with Incentive Spirometry in patients with smog-induced pneumonia.
Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 25
Maximum Age: 40
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:
• Male and female participants Age between 25-40 years Clinically diagnosed pneumonia Recent exposure to high air pollution levels (AQI threshold exceeded within the past 7 days) Resting oxygen saturation between 86-95% Ability to understand and perform breathing exercises -
Locations
Other Locations
Pakistan
Combined Military Hospital (CMH)
RECRUITING
Lahore
Contact Information
Primary
Faizan Ahmad
faizanxahmad21@gmail.com
03054741978
Backup
Sahar Fatima
Sahar.fatime@ubas.edu.pk
03271202200
Time Frame
Start Date:2026-05-01
Estimated Completion Date:2026-10-15
Participants
Target number of participants:62
Treatments
Experimental: Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT)
Participants in this group will receive Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) along with standard medical care. The intervention aims to improve breathing control and respiratory efficiency in patients with pneumonia. The program includes nasal inhalation to promote nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing. Participants will practice reduced breathing volume to avoid hyperventilation and improve gas exchange. Controlled breathing rate will be used to maintain slow and regular breathing patterns. The intervention also includes breath-holding after exhalation to enhance breathing control. Patients will perform relaxed diaphragmatic breathing to reduce accessory muscle use. All exercises will be supervised by a trained physiotherapist to ensure safety and correct technique. Sessions will be conducted twice daily for 20-30 minutes. The intervention will continue for seven days or until hospital discharge.
Active_comparator: Incentive Spirometry (IS)
Participants in this group will perform breathing exercises using an incentive spirometer along with standard medical care. The intervention aims to improve lung expansion and respiratory function in patients with pneumonia. Participants will perform slow maximal inhalation using the spirometer to encourage deep breathing and increase lung capacity. Each inhalation will be followed by breath holding for approximately 2-3 seconds to promote better air distribution in the lungs. After this, participants will perform controlled and slow exhalation. The exercise will be repeated several times to support lung expansion and airway clearance. The sessions will be conducted twice daily for 20-30 minutes, and participants will also perform 10 deep breaths every hour while awake. The intervention will continue for seven days or until hospital discharge.