Clinical trial

Effect of Thoracic Mobilization in People With Central Obesity

Opening soon · Not applicable · 0 countries · Registry ID NCT07718178

Opening soonNot applicableInterventional

What this study is about

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension improves ventilatory functions and chest wall expansion in adults with central obesity. It will also evaluate whether adding Mulligan thoracic mobilization to a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise provides greater benefits than diet and exercise alone. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does Mulligan thoracic mobilization improve ventilatory functions (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC ratio, and MVV) in adults with central obesity? Does Mulligan thoracic mobilization improve chest wall expansion, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life? Researchers will compare Mulligan thoracic mobilization combined with a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise to a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise alone to determine whether the addition of thoracic mobilization improves respiratory outcomes. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Receive an individualized low-carbohydrate diet and supervised aerobic exercise for 8 weeks. Receive Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension five times per week for 8 weeks if assigned to the intervention group. Undergo assessments of ventilatory functions, chest wall expansion, functional capacity, and quality of life before and after the intervention.

A promising-looking record is not the same as confirmed eligibility. The study team must review the full criteria and current recruitment status.

Basic eligibility

Age25 Years to 35 Years

SexMale

Healthy volunteersNot accepted

ConditionCentral Obesity, Ventilatory Function

Full registry criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Males aged 25-35 years. * Presence of central obesity, defined as: * Waist circumference ≥102 cm in males. * Waist-hip ratio (WHR) ≥0.90 in males. * BMI from 30-39.9 kg/m². * Willing to comply with conventional physiotherapy (diet and exercise) and mobilization programs. * Medically stable individuals with a restrictive lung pattern (Normal FEV₁/FVC ratio and FVC \< 80% of predicted). * Low level physical activity (using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version). * Non-smokers. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed COPD, asthma, or other chronic respiratory diseases. * Recent thoracic spine or rib injury/surgery. * Cardiovascular instability or uncontrolled hypertension. * Contraindications to manual therapy (e.g., osteoporosis, rib fractures, or spinal tumors). * Participation in any structured weight loss program or exercise regimen in the past 6 months. * History of bariatric surgery (e.g., gastric sleeve, gastric bypass). * Use of medications that affect body weight or metabolism (e.g., corticosteroids, antipsychotics, weight loss drugs). * Neurological or musculoskeletal conditions that limit mobility or exercise participation and interfere with gait. * Any acute respiratory infections in the past 6 weeks.

Treatments and study arms

Mulligan Thoracic Mobilization

Procedure

* Technique: Thoracic mobilization with movement (MWM) in extension performed by a trained physiotherapist. * Performed 5×/week. * Total program duration: 8 weeks. * 3 sets × 10 repetitions per spinal level per session. * Hold time: thoracic extension maintained for approximately 6 seconds at the end of the movement. * Participant position: sitting at the edge of the treatment table with hands behind the neck. * Therapist technique: mobilizing force applied using the ulnar border of the hand over the spinous process in a cephalic-anterior direction. * Movement performed: deep inspiration combined with thoracic extension during the mobilization. * Target levels: Mid-thoracic region (T6-T8). * Session duration: The session duration was based on three sets of ten repetitions per spinal level, with each repetition held for approximately 6 seconds. A 30-second rest interval was provided between sets, resulting in an effective application time of about 4-5 minutes per level.

low carbohydrate

Behavioral

Standardized low-carbohydrate dietary program administered for 8 weeks.

Aerobic Exercise

Behavioral

Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week, at 55-69% HRmax or Borg RPE 12-14, progressing from 30 to 45 minutes per session.

Primary outcomes

Forced Vital CapacityBaseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).

Measured in liters using spirometry.

Forced Expiratory Volume in One SecondBaseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).

Measured in liters using spirometry.

Ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second to Forced Vital CapacityBaseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).

Measured as a percentage using spirometry.

Maximum Voluntary VentilationBaseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).

Measured in liters per minute using spirometry.

Chest Wall Expansion at the Fourth Intercostal SpaceBaseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).

Chest wall expansion measured in centimeters using a non-elastic tape measure at the fourth intercostal space.

Chest Wall Expansion at the Xiphoid Process LevelBaseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 8-week training period (post-intervention).

Chest wall expansion measured in centimeters using a non-elastic tape measure at the level of the xiphoid process.

Study locations

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No public site location was included in this record. Check the original registry for updates.