Myofascial release for breathing recovery after open-heart surgery through the breastbone
Tests myofascial release added to routine physical therapy in adults after heart surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effects of Myofascial Release on Cardiac Patients After Median Sternotomy
Key facts
- Where
- Kaohsiung City, TaiwanSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with coronary artery disease, valve disease or aortic disease who are having heart surgery through the breastbone. It tests a hands-on chest therapy after surgery.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join
- Disease stage
- Coronary artery disease, valve disease or aortic disease; having surgery that opens the breastbone (median sternotomy)
- Earlier treatment
- No earlier chest surgery (thoracic surgery)
Main reasons for not taking part
- Has a cardiac pacemaker
- Has a ventricular assist device (VAD)
- Has a nervous system disorder such as stroke, spinal cord injury or brain injury
- Has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Stayed in intensive care (ICU) longer than 14 days
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Where in Taiwan
- Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung City, TaiwanContact: Siou Pin Huang, PT (Physical Therapist)Taking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Siou-Pin Huang
- Trial code
- NCT07649330
- Record updated
- 16 June 2026
- Original description
After deciding to join this study and signing the informed consent form, participants will undergo the following interventions:Read full original descriptionShow less
Effects of Myofascial Release on Cardiac Patients After Median Sternotomy
After deciding to join this study and signing the informed consent form, participants will undergo the following interventions:
All participants will receive a preoperative assessment (Tp) before surgery. Within five days after transferring from the ICU to the general ward, participants will receive a baseline assessment (T0). After completing seven sessions of myofascial release (MFR), a post-intervention assessment (T1) will be conducted.
Assessments include maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), pulmonary function tests, mid- and lower-thoracic mobility, surface electromyography (sEMG) to measure diaphragmatic and sternocleidomastoid muscle activity, and pain scores. Pulmonary function tests include forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV).
Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive myofascial release therapy in addition to routine physical therapy in the general ward. Routine therapy includes daily physical therapy sessions such as out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry training (Triflow), and functional exercises. The MFR intervention consists of three steps:
The therapist places both hands on the thoracic outlet, with the index and middle fingers above the clavicle.
One hand is placed on the anterior chest and the other hand parallel on the participant's back.
Both hands are placed on the anterolateral region of the thoracoabdominal diaphragm.
During each step, participants are instructed to take 10 slow, deep breaths and direct airflow toward the therapist's hands. Each session lasts approximately 15 minutes, once daily, for seven sessions.
The control group will receive only routine physical therapy (out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry, and functional exercises) without additional myofascial release therapy.
Inclusion: Age ≥ 18 years; Able to communicate verbally and follow instructions; Diagnosed by a physician with coronary artery disease, valvular disease, or aortic disease; Undergoing median sternotomy; Able to provide informed consent.
Exclusion: History of previous thoracic surgery; Presence of a cardiac pacemaker; Existing central nervous system disorders (e.g., hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury); Cognitive impairment or inability to understand/follow instructions; Diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Presence of a ventricular assist device (VAD); ICU stay longer than 14 days.