An interventional study of Deep Breathing Exercises and Volume-Oriented Incentive Spirometry in Dyspnea During Pregnancy, Physiological Changes in Pregnancy and Reduced Functional Endurance, sponsored by University of Lahore. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-26.
Sponsored by University of Lahore · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is commonly experienced during the third trimester of pregnancy due to physiological changes affecting the respiratory system. Non-pharmacological breathing interventions are often recommended to improve breathing comfort and functional capacity in pregnant women.
This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of deep breathing exercises and volume-oriented incentive spirometry on dyspnea, functional endurance, and pulmonary function in women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups. One group performed supervised deep breathing exercises, while the other group performed volume-oriented incentive spirometry exercises.
Outcomes were measured before and after the intervention period and included the severity of dyspnea, functional endurance, and pulmonary function parameters. The results of this study aim to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of simple, safe, and non-invasive breathing interventions for improving respiratory outcomes during late pregnancy.
This study was a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate and compare the effects of two non-pharmacological respiratory interventions in women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Physiological changes during pregnancy, such as diaphragmatic elevation and increased oxygen demand, can contribute to dyspnea and reduced functional endurance. Safe and effective breathing interventions may help alleviate these symptoms without pharmacological risk.
Eligible pregnant women in their third trimester who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and randomly allocated into two intervention groups using a randomization method. Participants in Group A received a structured deep breathing exercise program, which focused on slow, controlled inhalation and exhalation techniques performed under supervision. Participants in Group B received volume-oriented incentive spirometry training, which encouraged sustained maximal inspiration using a standard incentive spirometer device.
Both interventions were administered according to a predefined protocol over the study period. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. Primary outcomes included the assessment of dyspnea severity. Secondary outcomes included measures of functional endurance and pulmonary function.
The study was conducted in accordance with ethical standards and received approval from the institutional ethics review committee. All participants provided informed consent prior to participation. The findings of this study are intended to contribute to evidence-based physical therapy practice by identifying effective, low-risk breathing interventions for managing dyspnea and improving respiratory function during the third trimester of pregnancy.
656 studies on the registry are indexed under Dyspnea; 153 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 36 is below the median of 48 across 430 interventional studies indexed under Dyspnea.
Browse Dyspnea studies →University of Lahore is the lead sponsor of 223 studies on the registry; 40 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants assigned to this arm performed a structured deep breathing exercise program consisting of slow, controlled inhalation and exhalation techniques under supervision during the intervention period.
Other: Deep Breathing Exercises
Participants assigned to this arm performed volume-oriented incentive spirometry exercises using a standard incentive spirometer according to a predefined protocol during the intervention period.
Device: Volume-Oriented Incentive Spirometry
Deep breathing exercises focused on diaphragmatic breathing with slow, deep inhalation followed by controlled exhalation. The exercises were performed according to a standardized protocol under supervision.
Volume-oriented incentive spirometry involved slow, sustained maximal inspiration using an incentive spirometer device to encourage lung expansion and improve respiratory function, performed under supervision according to protocol.
Functional Endurance
Functional endurance was assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), which measures the total distance walked by a participant on a flat surface over six minutes. The outcome is reported in meters, with higher values indicating better functional endurance. The minimum possible value is 0 meters, and there is no predefined maximum value.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the intervention period (approximately 6 weeks)
Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV₁)
Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry by measuring Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁). FEV₁ is reported in liters, with higher values indicating better pulmonary function.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the intervention period (approximately 6 weeks)
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry by measuring Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). FVC is reported in liters, with higher values indicating better pulmonary function.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the intervention period (approximately 6 weeks)
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared because this study was conducted as a university-based academic research project with data collected for thesis purposes. The informed consent obtained from participants did not include provisions for public data sharing, and the dataset contains sensitive personal health information. Data will be stored securely at the institution and used only for academic and research purposes in accordance with institutional ethics approval.
This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Lahore