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Not yet recruitingNCT06635083Updated Oct 10, 2024

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Training in Pectus Excavatum Deformity

An interventional study of Telerehabilitation in Pectus Excavatum, sponsored by Eastern Mediterranean University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey. Open to male participants aged 10 Years to 14 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-10-10.

Sponsored by Eastern Mediterranean University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Jan 2025, 1 year 9 months ago, but the record still lists the study as not yet recruiting.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
62
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
10 Years to 14 Years
Sex
Male
01

Study summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation-based exercise training in addition to Vacuum Bell therapy on physical fitness, respiratory functions, posture and psychosocial factors in boys aged between 10-14 years diagnosed with pectus excavatum.

Read the detailed description

Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common congenital chest wall deformity. It is seen in approximately 1 in 400 live births. PE is characterized by varying degrees of depression of the sternum and rib cartilage. Although its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood, it is thought to be caused by intrauterine pressure on the sternum from an abnormal fetal position, sequelae of diseases such as syphilis and rickets, muscle imbalances in the anterior diaphragm that pull the xiphoid and sternum backwards, and abnormal growth of the costal cartilage junction between the rib and the sternum.

In a typical PE, the lower 1/3 of the sternum and adjacent costal cartilages are seen to collapse. Children with PE are usually tall and have abnormal posture. Scoliosis has been diagnosed in approximately 29% of children with PE. Studies have shown that the most common posture disorders in children with PE are; head forward posture, rounded shoulders, thoracic kyphosis, winged scapula and anterior rotation of the pelvis. In children with PE; decreased flexibility of the upper trapezius, scalene, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major muscles; loss of strength in the back extensors, abdominals, quadratus lumborum, lower/middle part of the trapezius and rhomboids have been reported. In addition to orthopedic problems; psychosocial problems related to physical appearance such as body image anxiety, social isolation, introversion, shyness, anxiety and depression have also been detected. It has been predicted that restriction of activities, poor posture and avoidance of sports activities due to deterioration of physical appearance may lead to weakness and other problems in the musculoskeletal system. In addition, it has been published that the cardiovascular endurance of adolescents with moderate and severe PE is lower than that of healthy controls, causing these patients to have reduced physical activity. In recent years, conservative treatment approaches have been increasing. The main conservative treatment methods applied for these patients are vacuum bell treatment, orthosis and physiotherapy. A rehabilitation program planned according to the needs of the person can help increase the quality of life of the individual with PE. Studies have reported that various exercise applications contribute to a decrease in deformity and positive developments in posture. Telerehabilitation is defined as a rehabilitation method carried out remotely between the patient and the health professional through telecommunication technologies such as telephone, internet, and video conference. Telerehabilitation methods can be quite effective in terms of high participation and compliance rates, behavioral changes in lifestyle, the opportunity for the patient to receive rehabilitation in their own environment, the chance to benefit from rehabilitation for a longer period of time and cost efficiency. In addition, the rate at which the rehabilitation program is affected by the low number of specialists in the geography where the patient lives, the lack of transportation facilities and physical disabilities is minimized thanks to telerehabilitation. Accessibility, flexible hours that can adapt to children's busy school programs and time savings, the opportunity for the participation of their families and the interest of children in technology are thought to motivate them to participate in treatment. In the literature study, no study was found showing the effectiveness of exercise training applied with telerehabilitation in children with pectus excavatum deformity. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of telerehabilitation-based exercise training applied in addition to Vacuum Bell treatment on physical fitness, respiratory functions, posture and psychosocial factors in boys between the ages of 10-14 diagnosed with pectus excavatum.

02

Conditions studied

  • Pectus Excavatum

Keywords

  • Telerehabilitation
  • Posture
  • Congenital Abnormalities
  • Quality of Life
  • Physical Fitness
  • Respiratory Function Tests
03

In context

Funnel Chest

79 studies on the registry are indexed under Funnel Chest; 10 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 62 is above the median of 40 across 46 interventional studies indexed under Funnel Chest.

Browse Funnel Chest studies →

Lead sponsor

Eastern Mediterranean University is the lead sponsor of 141 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
10 Years to 14 Years
Sexes eligible
Male
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged 10-14
  • Boys
  • Those who have undergone Vacuum Bell treatment for the first time

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Those with complex type pectus deformity
  • Those who have undergone any surgical treatment due to pectus excavatum
  • Those with chronic systemic disease (cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolic)
  • Those with diagnosed serious psychiatric disease
  • Those with scoliosis over 20 degrees
  • Those with other musculoskeletal anomalies and connective tissue disorders (Marfan syndrome, Turner syndrome, neurofibromatosis tuberous sclerosis)
  • Those with neurological disease
  • Those with hearing or vision impairment that cannot be corrected with hearing aids or glasses
  • Those who do not have internet access or do not own a tablet/computer
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
62 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Vacuum bell therapy

    This group will use a vacuum bell for one hour in the morning and evening, as recommended by an experienced thoracic surgeon.

    Other: Telerehabilitation

  • Experimental
    Vacuum bell therapy+telerehabilitation

    Telerehabilitation based exercises and vacuum bell therapy will be applied to this group. Video conference software system will be installed on the subjects' laptops or tablets. After the evaluations, exercises will be taught to the individuals in the clinic. Then, the following exercises will be done with the physiotherapist via video conference 3 sessions per week.

    Other: Telerehabilitation

Interventions

  • OtherTelerehabilitation

    A video conference software system will be installed on the subjects' laptops or tablets. Then, via video conference, strengthening/stretching exercises and breathing exercises will be performed for the areas affected by the deformity with the physiotherapist three times a week.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Physical Fitness

    Health-Related Physical Fitness Health-related physical fitness will be assessed using the FITNESSGRAM® test battery. This test battery was developed to record the abilities of his children. Health-related physical fitness components: * Aerobic capacity * Body composition * Strength * Endurance * Flexibility

    Time frame: 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pulmonary functions

    Pulmonary functions will be assessed by two devices. 1. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) will be measured by a portable spirometer device. 2. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) will be measured by Peak Flow Meter

    Time frame: 6 months

Other outcomes

  1. Posture

    Posture assessment will be done by lateral photography. Photographs will be taken from 90 degrees sideways and 1.5 meters away with a digital camera placed on a tripod. Markers will be placed on certain anatomical points (eye canthus, ear tragus, acromion, spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra, spinous processes of the 4th and 7th thoracic vertebrae, spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra, spina iliaca anterior superior (SIAS), trochanter major, lateral of the midpoint of the knee joint) and angular calculations will be made from the lateral projection of these points.

    Time frame: 6 months

  2. Handgrip strength

    It has been reported that it is strengthened with general body muscle strength. Therefore, it is widely used because it is a cheap, practical and easy method for determining general body muscle strength. During this test, subjects will be asked to make a baseline in sitting positions, with the elbow in 90 degree flexion, the shoulder in adduction and the forearm in neutral position. For this reason, the average and value repeated three times will be recorded.

    Time frame: 6 months

  3. Body Image Perception

    Body Image Assessment This scale aims to measure the individual\'s level of satisfaction of their body. This scale includes a total of 40 items with scores between 1 and 5. A higher score indicates a higher level of body image satisfaction.

    Time frame: 6 months

  4. Social Anxiety

    Social Anxiety Scale for Children Social anxiety will be assessed using the 'Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised, a self-report designed to assess social fears in children. The items selected in anxiety scales developed for children are related to social situations.

    Time frame: 6 months

  5. Psychological State

    This assessment will be made using the 'Depression Scale for Children. 27-question scale and each item is scored between 0-2. A high total score indicates a high level of depression. The pathology cut-off point was determined as 19 points.

    Time frame: 6 months

  6. Quality of life assessment

    Quality of Life Assessment The Turkish version of the Nuss Questionnaire, a disease-specific health-related quality of life assessment tool for patients with pectus deformities, will be used to assess the quality of life of patients and their parents. The total scores of patients on the form range from 12 to 48, while the total scores of parents\' forms range from 11 to 44. Higher scores indicate better overall satisfaction and better quality of life.

    Time frame: 6 months

07

Study locations

1 site
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Oct 10, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06635083
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 10, 2024
Start date
Oct 10, 2024 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jan 31, 2025 (estimated)
Completion
Apr 30, 2025 (estimated)
Last update
Oct 10, 2024

Study contacts

BÜŞRA AKGÖNÜL, Master
Contact
busrakgonul@gmail.com
+905334902102
Emine H Tüzün
study director · Eastern Mediterrenian University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Oct 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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