This randomized clinical trial investigates the comparative effectiveness of Manual Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) and Non-Invasive Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is a progressive respiratory condition characterized by airflow limitation, leading to breathlessness, decreased exercise tolerance, and frequent hospitalizations. Non-invasive ventilation techniques such as PEEP and CPAP are widely used to manage respiratory symptoms and improve lung function in these patients, but direct comparisons of their efficacy remain limited.
A total of 42 patients with Stage 3 or 4 COPD, aged over 40 years, will be enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups:
Group A will receive manual PEEP therapy
Group B will receive non-invasive CPAP therapy
The intervention will last four weeks, and all patients will receive baseline treatment in the form of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBTs). The study will be conducted at Imran Idrees Teaching Hospital and Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital, Sialkot.
Primary outcome measures include improvements in:
Oxygen saturation (SpO₂)
Respiratory rate
Patient-reported breathlessness (using the Borg scale)
Quality of life and symptom severity (using the COPD Assessment Test)
Data collection tools include pulse oximetry, digital spirometry (for FEV₁, FVC, PEF), and standardized questionnaires. The study uses a single-blind design, where the assessor is blinded to the group allocation.
The purpose is to determine which intervention-manual PEEP or CPAP-offers superior clinical outcomes, patient comfort, and symptom relief. Findings from this research aim to support evidence-based decision-making for non-invasive COPD management in clinical settings.
