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The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on Pain, Dyspnea, Posture, Body Awareness, Anxiety, and Depression in Young Adults

Sponsor: Alper Kemal Gürbüz • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07872163

Registry updated: 2026-10-13

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Description

Prolonged sedentary behavior and sustained static postures in modern lifestyles induce musculoskeletal stress, restrict thoracic mobility, and impair diaphragmatic excursion, which can alter postural control, increase dyspnea perception, and affect psychological well-being even in healthy adults. Although breathing exercises are accessible, cost-effective, and non-invasive interventions known to improve ventilatory efficiency, autonomic regulation, and core stabilization, their multidimensional impacts in healthy populations remain underexplored. Most existing literature focuses on isolated outcomes or clinical cohorts. This clinical trial aims to evaluate the comprehensive effects of structured breathing exercises (diaphragmatic breathing and thoracic expansion exercises) in healthy adults. Specifically, the study investigates changes in pain intensity, dyspnea severity, postural alignment, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and body awareness, providing empirical evidence for the role of breathing interventions in preventive physiotherapy and public health.

Interventions

Exercise (Other)
Participants in this arm receive a structured breathing exercise program spanning 6 weeks, conducted 4 days per week with sessions lasting approximately 20 to 25 minutes in a seated or semi-seated posture. The protocol combines diaphragmatic breathing and lateral basal thoracic expansion exercises under continuous verbal and tactile feedback. Intervention Type: Behavioral (veya Other) Intervention Name: Breathing Exercise Training (Thoracic Expansion and Diaphragmatic Breathing) Intervention Description: The structured breathing exercise intervention consists of two key components performed over 6 weeks (4 sessions/week, 20-25 minutes/session): Diaphragmatic Breathing: Slow, deep nasal inspiration focusing on lateral lower rib expansion, an end-inspiratory breath hold for 2-3 seconds, and controlled expiration through pursed lips. Lateral Basal Thoracic Expansion: Performed with bilateral hand placement over the lower lateral rib cage to provide proprioceptive guidance and maximiz

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: The inclusion criteria were being aged 18 years or older, having no physical condition that could interfere with participation in the breathing exercise program, having no history of regular participation in breathing exercises, yoga, Pilates, or posture-oriented exercise programs within the preceding 6 months, and providing written informed consent prior to enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: clinically diagnosed chronic respiratory disease (e.g., COPD or asthma), a history of thoracic, spinal, or upper extremity surgery within the preceding 6 months, or current pregnancy.

Conditions

Young

Locations

Kırıkkale University — Kirikkale, Yahşihan, Turkey (Türkiye)

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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