An interventional study of Chest Wall Oscillation and Conventional Control in Thoracic Diseases, sponsored by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-24.
Sponsored by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study was conducted to determine the effects of a manual vibration technique applied to the chest wall on the duration of chest tube placement, secretion clearance, and hemodynamic parameters in patients with chest tubes.
This study was conducted to determine the effects of a manual vibration technique applied to the chest wall on the duration of chest tube placement, secretion clearance, and hemodynamic parameters in patients with chest tubes.
Thoracic surgery is a method used in the treatment of diseases of the lungs, pleura, chest wall, and mediastinum. The primary problems encountered by patients postoperatively include improper patient positioning, incision pain, ineffective coughing, reduced lung volume, postoperative pulmonary complications, inadequate airway clearance, frozen shoulder on the side of the thoracotomy, postural abnormalities, and persistent chest wall tension. These issues, particularly pulmonary complications, can delay patient recovery, prolong hospital stays, and increase morbidity and mortality. Tube thoracostomy is a one-way drainage system that facilitates the drainage of fluid and air from the pleural space, maintains negative pressure, and allows for lung expansion. Additionally, it allows for the administration of therapeutic medications into the pleural space. Patients should be educated on respiratory exercises-such as coughing, balloon inflation, and the use of a triflowmeter-to facilitate lung expansion and secretion clearance, and they should be encouraged to perform these exercises regularly. A review of the literature reveals no studies investigating the effectiveness of manual vibration in patients with chest tubes. It is believed that this technique may shorten the duration of chest tube placement. Additionally, due to the lack of cost-effectiveness of mechanical vibration, supply issues, the inability to use it effectively on all patients in clinical settings, the recommendation for more frequent use, and the necessity of applying it based on the patient's needs rather than at regular intervals (such as every two hours)-a determination that must be made by the nurse closely monitoring the patient- it is anticipated that the manual vibration technique will provide greater benefits at regular intervals without incurring additional costs, as it adapts to the patient's needs and the clinic's operational schedule throughout the day.
72 studies on the registry are indexed under Thoracic Diseases; 13 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is close to the median of 65 across 52 interventional studies indexed under Thoracic Diseases.
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Postoperative patients with chest tubes received manual chest wall vibration in addition to routine nursing care twice daily (morning and evening). Before the intervention, patients were informed and provided written consent. Baseline measurements included dyspnea (Modified Borg Scale), pain (VNRS), vital signs, and arterial blood gas values. The intervention was performed in semi-Fowler's position during the expiratory phase, applying gentle vibrations from lower to upper lobes for approximately 5 minutes (10 breathing cycles). Patients were guided to use slow nasal inhalation and pursed-lip exhalation. Outcomes were reassessed at 3rd, 5th, and 10th minutes after the intervention. The same procedure was repeated in the evening, and all data were recorded.
Procedure: Chest Wall Oscillation
Control group patients were informed about the study and provided written consent. They received only routine nursing care without any additional intervention. At baseline (0 min), Patient Identification and Follow-up Forms were completed. Dyspnea was assessed using the Modified Borg Scale (MBS), pain using the Visual Numeric Rating Scale (VNRS), and vital signs and arterial blood gas values were recorded. Following routine care, measurements of vital signs, blood gases, dyspnea, and pain were repeated at 0, 3, 5, and 10 minutes and documented. Unlike the intervention group, no manual chest wall vibration was applied, and standard clinical follow-up was maintained. The same monitoring and recording procedures were repeated in the evening session.
Behavioral: Conventional Control
Manual chest wall vibration is applied with the patient in a semi-Fowler's position during the expiratory phase of breathing. The practitioner places both hands flat on the chest wall and delivers gentle, rhythmic vibrations, starting from the lower lobes and progressing toward the upper lobes. Patients are instructed to inhale slowly through the nose and exhale using a pursed-lip breathing technique with a 1:2 inspiration-expiration ratio. The procedure is performed for approximately 5 minutes, corresponding to about 10 respiratory cycles, and is typically applied during the patient's rest period following routine care.
Control group patients were informed about the study and provided written consent. They received only routine nursing care, with no additional interventions applied. Baseline measurements were taken at 0 minutes, including dyspnea (MBS), pain (VNRS), vital signs, and arterial blood gas values. Following routine care, the same parameters were reassessed at 3, 5, and 10 minutes and recorded. No manual chest wall vibration was performed; only standard clinical monitoring was maintained. The same assessment protocol was repeated in the evening session.
Patient Follow-Up Form
Changes in respiratory and hemodynamic parameters (including respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure), dyspnea severity (Modified Borg Scale), and pain intensity (Visual Numeric Rating Scale) measured before the intervention and at 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after the intervention.
Time frame: 1 day
Post-Operative Respiratory Status Questionnaire
A 6-item patient-reported questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale will be used to assess postoperative respiratory symptoms and adherence to breathing exercises. Higher scores indicate better outcomes.
Time frame: 1 day
Questionnaire on manual chest wall vibration therapy
A 9-item Likert-type questionnaire will be used to assess patient comfort, perceived benefit, and satisfaction with manual chest wall vibration. Higher scores indicate more favorable outcomes.
Time frame: 1 day
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Oct 2025 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Apr 2026, 6 months after the start.
Of 27 interventional studies with no phase under Thoracic Diseases, half reached primary completion within 21 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 42. This study's planned 6 months is below that.
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