Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 60Years
All Genders
NCT06514950

Yoga Breath Training to Improve Cardiorespiratory Synchrony in Spinal Cord Injury

Led by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · Updated on 2026-03-05

20

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

139 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

The goal of this interventional study is to understand how regular yogic breathing practice, particularly a slow resistive yogic breathing technique called Ujjayi, would benefit individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 with spinal cord injuries. Previously yogic breathing has shown to improve respiratory function and sleep- we'd like to explore this further. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How does Ujjayi breathing affect breathing patterns in individuals with spinal cord injuries? * How does Ujjayi breathing affect lung function in individuals with spinal cord injuries? * How does Ujjayi breathing affect the part of the nervous system responsible for ventilatory control in individuals with spinal cord injuries? * How does Ujjayi breathing affect ventilatory perfusion (how well air and blood flow match in the lungs for efficient gas exchange) in individuals with spinal cord injuries? * How does Ujjayi breathing affect sleep quality in individuals with spinal cord injuries? Participants will undergo six weeks of training in Ujjayi breathing. Before and after this period, they will visit the lab for measurements of blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen levels, and breathing. They will also perform several tests: * Pulmonary function testing to assess lung capacity and respiratory muscle strength. * Pace breathing frequency to four pre-recorded audio files at various breathing rates. * Breathing exercises involving higher levels of carbon dioxide for a short time. * Breathing exercises involving lower levels of oxygen for a short time. * At-home sleep evaluation. Between the two laboratory testing sessions, participants will practice yogic resistance breathing (Ujjayi breathing) for six weeks.

CONDITIONS

Official Title

Yoga Breath Training to Improve Cardiorespiratory Synchrony in Spinal Cord Injury

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 60Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Spinal cord injury
  • American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) score of A, B, or C
  • Aged 18-60 years
  • Wheelchair user
  • Medically stable and able to follow directions
  • Body mass index of 18.5 - 35 kg/m2
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Resting blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg
  • Current use of tobacco or cardioactive medications (except those supporting blood pressure)
  • Significant arrhythmia
  • Bleeding disorder
  • Pulmonary disease
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Diabetes
  • Renal disease
  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy or other neurological diseases
  • Current use of CPAP or BIPAP
  • Has smartphone or device incompatible with the PranaTM application

AI-Screening

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Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, 02138

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

J

J. Andrew Taylor, MS, PhD

CONTACT

M

Maria Sukhoplyasova, BSc

CONTACT

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NA

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Number of Arms

1

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Yoga Breath Training to Improve Cardiorespiratory Synchrony in Spinal Cord Injury | DecenTrialz