Actively Recruiting
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
Eligibility Criteria
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
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
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, 02138
Actively Recruiting
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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