The Effect of Manual Therapy Techniques on the Mobility of the Diaphragm in People With Asthma

The mechanical alterations related to the overload of respiratory muscles observed in people with persistent asthma can lead to the development of musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Moreover, the produced lung hyperinflation and high lung volumes in the asthma crisis put the diaphragm at a disadvantage in terms of its length-tension curve and lowered its excursion and capacity to generate force. According to a preliminary study, manual therapy (MT) techniques can be used as adjunctive therapy in asthma treatment. The proposed protocol is the first randomized controlled clinical trial to assess MT's efficacy on the diaphragm's ZOA in conjunction with BRE in individuals with well controlled mild moderate and severe asthma. Many musculoskeletal and respiratory outcomes will be used to investigate the under-study therapies' impact.

Inclusion Criteria:Aged 18 - 60 yearsDiagnosed with well controlled asthma (mild, moderate-severe) using spirometryNo acute exacerbation in the last two monthsExclusion Criteria:Cardiopulmonary diseasesPrevious cardiothoracic or abdominal surgeryPatients who have a recent history of the chest wall or abdominal traumaPatients with unstable hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure >140mmHg systolic and >90mmHg for diastolic inability to understand the verbal commands necessary for the outcome assessmentsPregnancyNeurological diseasesPrevious or parallel participation in interventional programs.