An interventional study of POSTURAL DRAINAGE TECHNIQUE in Respiratory Distress Syndrome, sponsored by Riphah International University. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 1 Month to 2 Months. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-30.
Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
This study investigated whether adding thoracic squeezing to postural drainage improves immediate respiratory outcomes in preterm infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).
Over nine months, 14 preterm infants (all born via cesarean section) were randomly assigned to two groups. The control group received standard care with postural drainage, while the experimental group received postural drainage combined with the lung squeezing technique (LST), which applies gentle chest pressure to enhance airflow and mucus clearance. Infants with genetic disorders, congenital anomalies, or on neurotropic drugs were excluded.
Oxygen saturation and respiratory distress were measured using the Oxygen Saturation Index and Silverman-Anderson Scale, with data analyzed in SPSS.
The study aimed to determine whether combining thoracic squeezing with postural drainage has a greater immediate effect on improving oxygen levels and reducing respiratory distress compared to postural drainage alone.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common respiratory condition affecting preterm infants, characterized by insufficient lung function leading to impaired oxygenation and increased respiratory effort. Physiotherapy interventions like postural drainage are often used to improve lung clearance and respiratory status. However, the effectiveness of combining postural drainage with thoracic squeezing on immediate respiratory outcomes remains unclear. The lung squeezing technique (LST), an advanced form of chest physiotherapy, involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to the chest wall, followed by a full release. This process helps elevate intrathoracic pressure, which can activate the cough reflex, aid in the movement of mucus, promote deeper inhalation, and enhance ventilation within the alveoli. The objective of the study is aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of postural drainage with or without thoracic squeezing on oxygen saturation and respiratory rate in children with RDS.
This study was conducted over nine months at AMTH and HLTH settings, enrolling a total of 14 preterm infants with a history of cesarean section birth. Participants were selected using the Epi tool for sample size calculation and randomized into two groups: the control group received standard care involving postural training, while the experimental group underwent postural drainage combined with thoracic squeezing techniques. Exclusion criteria included infants under treatment with neurotropic drugs, those diagnosed with genetic disorders, and those presenting with congenital cardiac or respiratory anomalies. Data collection employed the Oxygen Saturation Index to measure oxygen levels and the Silverman-Anderson Scale to assess respiratory distress. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS software to determine the effects of the interventions on oxygen saturation and respiratory rate.
1,597 studies on the registry are indexed under Respiratory Distress Syndrome; 312 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 14 is below the median of 60 across 961 interventional studies indexed under Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
Browse Respiratory Distress Syndrome studies →Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,133 studies on the registry; 633 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
● Children diagnosed with RDS.
Exclusion Criteria:
● Under treatment with neurotropic drugs.
Evaluated using measures such as pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) or arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), or the Oxygen Saturation Index (OSI). This calculation provides a non-invasive measure of oxygenation efficiency. Research has shown that OSI is just as reliable as the Oxygenation Index (OI) in evaluating the severity of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). Since OSI uses peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) instead of arterial blood gases, it serves as a practical and effective alternative, particularly in settings where frequent arterial sampling is not feasible. The Oxygen Saturation Index (OSI) is determined using the formula: (FiO₂ × mean airway pressure × 100) ÷ SpO₂ (14).
Other: POSTURAL DRAINAGE TECHNIQUE
The Silverman-Anderson scores are widely used clinical tools designed to evaluate the severity of respiratory distress in newborns. Both systems rely on objective clinical parameters to quantify respiratory difficulty. The Silverman-Anderson score specifically measures five key signs: chest retractions in the upper and lower thorax, subxiphoid retraction, nasal flaring, and audible grunting during exhalation. Each of these indicators is rated on a scale from 0 to 2, allowing healthcare providers to systematically assess and monitor the progression or improvement of respiratory distress in neonates.
Other: POSTURAL DRAINAGE TECHNIQUE
A structured chest physiotherapy protocol will be applied in neonates to enhance airway clearance by targeting specific lung segments. This includes appropriate positioning-supine for upper lobes and side-lying for lower lobes-combined with gentle chest percussion to mobilize secretions while avoiding sensitive areas. Sessions last 4-5 minutes and are repeated every 3 hours, with careful monitoring of vital signs and precautions such as avoiding treatment soon after feeding. Additionally, the thoracic squeezing technique is used to simulate a cough by applying gentle, rhythmic compressions during expiration in a side-lying position. Performed for about 10 minutes on each side after drainage or percussion, it helps move secretions toward central airways, particularly in infants with weak cough reflexes, with continuous monitoring to ensure safety and immediate cessation if distress occurs.
Also known as: Thoracic Squeezing Technique
Oxygenation levels
Evaluated using measures such as pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) or arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), or the Oxygen Saturation Index (OSI). This calculation provides a non-invasive measure of oxygenation efficiency. Research has shown that OSI is just as reliable as the Oxygenation Index (OI) in evaluating the severity of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). Since OSI uses peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) instead of arterial blood gases, it serves as a practical and effective alternative, particularly in settings where frequent arterial sampling is not feasible. The Oxygen Saturation Index (OSI) is determined using the formula: (FiO₂ × mean airway pressure × 100) ÷ SpO₂ (14).
Time frame: BASE LINE, 4 WEEKS
ANDERSON Scale
The Silverman-Anderson scores are widely used clinical tools designed to evaluate the severity of respiratory distress in newborns. Both systems rely on objective clinical parameters to quantify respiratory difficulty. The Silverman-Anderson score specifically measures five key signs: chest retractions in the upper and lower thorax, subxiphoid retraction, nasal flaring, and audible grunting during exhalation. Each of these indicators is rated on a scale from 0 to 2, allowing healthcare providers to systematically assess and monitor the progression or improvement of respiratory distress in neonates.
Time frame: BASE LINE, 4 WEEKS
Plan to share: No
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Respiratory Distress Syndrome→
Riphah International University