Effects of TPB-Based Cadence Exercise and Breathing Training on Physiological Parameters and Quality of Life in Patients With COPD

NCT07860008 — Not applicable, Recruiting, 200 participants, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital

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The Effects of a Theory of Planned Behavior-Based Intervention Incorporating Cadence Exercise and Breathing Training on Physiological Parameters and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RegistryNCT07860008, acronym COPD
StatusRecruiting
PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional; randomized, parallel, masking: single, treatment
Enrollment200 (Estimated)
SponsorFu Jen Catholic University Hospital (Other)
ConditionsChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
InterventionsBreathing Training, Cadence Exercise, Usual Care (Behavioral, other)
Datesstart 2026-10-06 (estimated), primary completion 2027-12-25 (estimated), completion 2027-12-25 (estimated), first posted 2026-10-06, last updated 2026-10-06
Locations2 sites in Taiwan

Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease All trials of Breathing Training All trials of Cadence Exercise

-Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)-based intervention incorporating cadence exercise and breathing training on physiological parameters and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive breathing training, cadence exercise, a combined intervention of breathing training and cadence exercise, or usual care. The intervention will be conducted for 12 weeks, with assessments at baseline, Week 8, and Week 12. The study will evaluate changes in physiological parameters, exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life. The findings may provide evidence for developing behavioral interventions to support pulmonary rehabilitation and improve health outcomes in people with COPD.

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+Detailed description

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory condition that can cause persistent respiratory symptoms, reduced exercise capacity, impaired respiratory muscle function, and decreased quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation and regular physical activity are important components of COPD management; however, adherence to exercise and respiratory training may be affected by individual behavioral factors.

This randomized controlled trial is designed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which proposes that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence behavioral intention and subsequent health behaviors. The study aims to evaluate whether a TPB-based intervention incorporating cadence exercise and breathing training can improve physiological parameters and quality of life in patients with COPD.

Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: a breathing training group, a cadence exercise group, a combined breathing training and cadence exercise group, or a usual-care control group. Participants in the breathing training group will perform respiratory muscle training using an adjustable respiratory muscle training device. Participants in the cadence exercise group will perform walking exercise guided by a metronome at a predetermined cadence. Participants in the combined intervention group will receive both breathing training and cadence exercise. The usual-care group will receive routine clinical care.

The intervention period will be 12 weeks. Participants will be assessed at baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2). Outcome assessments will include physiological parameters, respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, dyspnea, and health-related quality of life. Physiological and functional outcomes will include oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressur and the six-minute walk test. Quality of life and COPD-related symptoms will be assessed using validated instruments.

The study will also assess TPB-related constructs, including attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention, to explore behavioral factors associated with adherence to the intervention. The study findings are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of cadence exercise and breathing training, individually and in combination, and to contribute to the development of behaviorally informed pulmonary rehabilitation strategies for patients with COPD.

+Arms and interventions

ArmTypeInterventionsDescription
Breathing Training GroupExperimentalBehavioral: Breathing TrainingParticipants in this group will receive a 12-week breathing training intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Respiratory muscle training will be performed using an adjustable respiratory muscle training device according to the standardized training protocol. Participants will receive instructions and training materials to support adherence to the intervention.
Cadence Exercise GroupExperimentalBehavioral: Cadence ExerciseParticipants in this group will receive a 12-week cadence exercise intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Walking exercise will be performed with a metronome to guide the prescribed cadence according to the standardized training protocol. Participants will receive instructions and training materials to support adherence to the intervention.
Combined Breathing Training + Cadence Exercise GroupExperimentalBehavioral: Breathing Training; Behavioral: Cadence ExerciseParticipants in this group will receive a 12-week combined intervention consisting of breathing training and cadence exercise based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Participants will perform breathing training followed by cadence-guided walking exercise according to the standardized training protocol. Instructions and training materials will be provided to support adherence to the intervention.
Usual Care GroupActive comparatorOther: Usual CareParticipants in this group will receive usual clinical care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to routine clinical practice. No additional breathing training or cadence exercise intervention will be provided as part of the study.
  • Breathing Training (Behavioral): A 12-week respiratory muscle training intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Participants will perform breathing training using an adjustable respiratory muscle training device according to a standardized training protocol. The intervention includes standardized instruction and training materials to support adherence.
  • Cadence Exercise (Behavioral): A 12-week cadence-guided walking exercise intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Participants will perform walking exercise using a metronome to guide the prescribed cadence according to a standardized training protocol. The intervention includes standardized instruction and training materials to support adherence.
  • Usual Care (Other): Participants in this group will receive usual clinical care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to routine clinical practice. No additional breathing training or cadence exercise intervention will be provided as part of the study.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

  • Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) [Baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2)]: Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) will be measured to evaluate respiratory muscle strength.
  • Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) [Baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2)]: Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) will be measured to evaluate respiratory muscle strength.
  • Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) [Baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2)]: Oxygen saturation (SpO₂) will be measured to evaluate physiological status.
  • Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) [Baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2)]: Six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance will be measured to evaluate exercise capacity.
  • COPD Assessment Test (CAT) [Baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2)]: COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score will be used to assess the impact of COPD symptoms on patients' health status and quality of life.
  • Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) [Baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2)]: Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) score will be used to assess the severity of dyspnea in patients with COPD.
  • St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) [Baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2)]: St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score will be used to assess health-related quality of life in patients with COPD.
  • WHOQOL-BREF (Taiwan Version) [Baseline (T0), Week 8 (T1), and Week 12 (T2)]: WHOQOL-BREF (Taiwan Version) score will be used to assess health-related quality of life.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 40 Years to any

Inclusion Criteria:Adults aged 40 years or older. Diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Able to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent. Able to participate in respiratory training and/or step-frequency exercise as instructed by the researchers.

Able to complete the questionnaires and physical assessments required by the study.

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Exclusion Criteria:Acute exacerbation of COPD or unstable clinical condition during the study period.

Severe cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, or other medical conditions that may interfere with participation in the intervention or outcome assessments.

Cognitive or communication impairment that prevents completion of the study procedures or questionnaires.

Unable to safely perform the required respiratory training or step-frequency exercise.

Participation in another clinical intervention study that may affect the outcomes of this study.

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+Locations (2)

FacilityCityCountryStatus
Fu Jen Catholic University HospitalNew Taipei City, New Taipei CityTaiwanNot yet recruiting
Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and WelfareNew Taipei City, New Taipei CityTaiwanRecruiting

+Publications

  • Zeng Y, Wu Q, Chen Y, Cai S. Early comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation for hospitalized patients with acute ex-acerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial. J Rehabil Med. 2024 Aug 22;56:jrm39953. doi: 10.2340/jrm.v56.39953. PMID 39175447
  • Aktan R, Ozalevli S, Yakut H, Ozgen Alpaydin A. The effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up prior to inspiratory muscle training during pulmonary rehabilitation in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized trial. Physiother Theory Pract. 2025 Jan;41(1):1-11. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2023.2301439. Epub 2024 Jan 11. PMID 38205730
  • Ceyhan Y, Tekinsoy Kartin P. The effects of breathing exercises and inhaler training in patients with COPD on the severity of dyspnea and life quality: a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2022 Aug 26;23(1):707. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06603-3. PMID 36028881
  • Yun R, Bai Y, Lu Y, Wu X, Lee SD. How Breathing Exercises Influence on Respiratory Muscles and Quality of Life among Patients with COPD? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Can Respir J. 2021 Jan 29;2021:1904231. doi: 10.1155/2021/1904231. eCollection 2021. PMID 33574969
  • Ammous O, Feki W, Lotfi T, Khamis AM, Gosselink R, Rebai A, Kammoun S. Inspiratory muscle training, with or without concomitant pulmonary rehabilitation, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Jan 6;1(1):CD013778. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013778.pub2. PMID 36606682

+Investigators

  • CHIA JUNG CHANG, RN, Principal investigator, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital