Inspiratory Muscle Training for Childhood Asthma

(MICA Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Jason Lang, MD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Duke University

Must be taking: Controller prescriptions

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Major chronic illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 8 weeks

76 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how breathing muscle training can aid children with moderate to severe asthma, focusing on those who are either overweight or of regular weight. Participants will use a device to practice inhaling with varying resistance levels to determine if it improves their breathing and asthma symptoms. This method, known as Inspiratory Training (IT), is also called Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) or Respiratory Muscle Training. The trial includes three groups: high intensity, low intensity, and a sham group for comparison. Children aged 6-17 who have had asthma for some time and require multiple medications for management might be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative asthma treatment research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since it involves children with moderate to severe asthma who are already on two or more controller prescriptions, it seems likely that participants will continue their current asthma medications.

What prior data suggests that Inspiratory Training (IT) is safe for children with asthma?

Research has shown that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is safe and beneficial for children with asthma. Studies have found that this training strengthens breathing muscles and improves lung function in kids. For instance, one study reported significant improvements in these areas in 34 children with asthma over 12 weeks. Another study noted enhanced muscle strength and fewer asthma symptoms after just eight weeks of IMT. Importantly, no major negative effects have been reported in these studies, indicating that young participants generally tolerate the training well, with little risk of side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Inspiratory Training (IT) approach for childhood asthma because it offers a non-medicinal way to enhance lung function. Unlike traditional treatments like inhalers and steroids, which focus on reducing inflammation and opening airways, this method strengthens the muscles used in breathing through targeted resistance training. Using the PrO2™ device and its app, kids can train their respiratory muscles by working against specific resistance levels, personalized to their needs. This could lead to improved breathing capacity and reduced asthma symptoms without the side effects of medication.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for childhood asthma?

Research shows that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can help children with asthma. Studies have found that IMT strengthens breathing muscles and improves lung function in these children. It also eases exercise and reduces breathlessness. This trial will assign participants to different groups to evaluate the effects of varying IMT doses. One review of six studies reported significant improvements in children who did IMT. These results suggest that IMT could effectively manage asthma symptoms in children. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jason Lang, MD

Principal Investigator

Duke University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The MICA study is for children aged 6-17 with moderate to severe asthma, who need multiple medications. It includes those with normal weight or obesity but not extreme obesity. Kids can't join if they've been intubated for asthma, have very low lung function, are pregnant, have poor asthma control or another major illness.

Inclusion Criteria

My BMI is either in the obese range or normal according to CDC standards.

I need 2 or more medications to manage my condition.

I am between 6 and 17 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Any major chronic illness that, in the opinion of the PI, would interfere with participation

Your lung function is less than half of what would be expected for someone your age and size.

Currently pregnant

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

Baseline Evaluation

Baseline evaluation of respiratory mechanics and muscle functioning

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Treatment

Randomized, SHAM-controlled trial of Inspiratory Training (IT) for 8 weeks at three intensity levels

8 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Inspiratory Training (IT)

Trial Overview This trial tests Inspiratory Training (IT) in lean and obese asthmatic kids. They'll do breathing exercises at different intensities: SHAM (very easy), low dose, and high dose compared to their maximum ability. The goal is to see how these exercises affect muscle and small airway function over 8 weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Active Low Dose inspiratory muscle rehabilitation (IMR) group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Each participant will be provided a PrO2™ device and trained on its use as well as its accompanying PrO2 Fit™ app. Participants will be instructed to inspire forcefully through PrO2™ until the device signals that the user has achieved the target resistance (via audible alarm and visible light signal). The research team will implement biofeedback signals at a specific inspiratory resistance to provide precise and individualized training target. Successful IMR repetitions will require that subjects achieve a pressure target that is 40% of their MIP (maximum inspiratory pressure).

Group II: Active High Dose inspiratory muscle rehabilitation (IMR) group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Each participant will be provided a PrO2™ device and trained on its use as well as its accompanying PrO2 Fit™ app. Participants will be instructed to inspire forcefully through PrO2™ until the device signals that the user has achieved the target resistance (via audible alarm and visible light signal). The research team will implement biofeedback signals at a specific inspiratory resistance to provide precise and individualized training target. Successful IMR repetitions will require that subjects achieve a pressure target that is 75% of their MIP (maximum inspiratory pressure).

Group III: SHAM Active Control 1 Intervention

Each participant will be provided a PrO2™ device and trained on its use as well as its accompanying PrO2 Fit™ app. Participants will be instructed to inspire forcefully through PrO2™ until the device signals that the user has achieved the target resistance (via audible alarm and visible light signal). The research team will implement biofeedback signals at a specific inspiratory resistance to provide precise and individualized training target. Successful IMR repetitions will require that subjects achieve a pressure target that is 15% of their MIP (maximum inspiratory pressure).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Duke University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,495

Recruited

5,912,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improved muscle strength and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in children with asthma, with MIP increasing from -48.32 to -109.92 and PEF from 173.6 to 312, indicating enhanced respiratory function.

In contrast, the control group showed no significant improvements in muscle strength, highlighting the efficacy of IMT and respiratory exercises in reducing asthma severity and improving respiratory muscle efficiency.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspiratory muscle training and respiratory exercises in children with asthma. Lima, EV., Lima, WL., Nobre, A., et al.[2019]

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improved respiratory functions, muscle strength, and asthma symptoms in a study of 34 asthmatic children over 12 weeks, compared to a placebo group.

The IMT group showed notable enhancements in forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and asthma control test scores, indicating that IMT can be an effective addition to conventional respiratory rehabilitation programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized placebo-controlled study investigating the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training in the treatment of children with bronchial asthma. Elnaggar, RK.[2021]

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves the strength and endurance of inspiratory muscles, reduces dyspnoea during daily activities, and enhances quality of life, but does not offer additional benefits when combined with standard pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

IMT is beneficial for patients who cannot engage in full exercise training, and it shows promise in pre-operative programs, suggesting it may be a useful intervention in specific contexts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Inspiratory muscle training during pulmonary rehabilitation]. Beaumont, M., Le Tallec, F., Villiot-Danger, E.[2021]

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improved respiratory muscle strength and exercise capacity in 38 asthmatic patients over 6 weeks, as evidenced by increased maximal inspiratory pressure and walking distance in the 6-minute walk test.

IMT also led to notable improvements in quality of life and daily living activities, with reductions in dyspnea and fatigue, highlighting its potential as an effective intervention for managing asthma symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training in the Management of Patients With Asthma: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. Duruturk, N., Acar, M., Doğrul, MI.[2019]

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improves balance in both healthy and diseased adults, based on a systematic review of 10 randomized control trials.

The effects of IMT on functional mobility were inconclusive, indicating that while balance benefits are clear, more research is needed to understand its impact on overall mobility.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of inspiratory muscle training on balance and functional mobility: a systematic review. Sheraz, S., Ferraro, FV., Siddiqui, FA., et al.[2023]

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improved inspiratory strength and lung function in young swimmers, with notable increases in the S-Index and maximum inspiratory flow after a four-week program.

Swimmers who underwent IMT showed significantly faster swimming times in 50-m, 100-m, and 200-m events compared to a control group, indicating that enhanced respiratory muscle strength positively impacts swimming performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspiratory muscle training improves the swimming performance of competitive young male sprint swimmers. Yañez-Sepulveda, R., Alvear-Ordenes, I., Tapia-Guajardo, A., et al.[2021]

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) combined with pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) did not show significant improvements in dyspnea, functional exercise capacity, or health-related quality of life in COPD patients, based on a review of 55 randomized controlled trials involving 4,467 participants.

However, IMT alone may lead to better outcomes in these areas, suggesting that while IMT can be beneficial, its effectiveness may be diminished when combined with PR.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspiratory muscle training, with or without concomitant pulmonary rehabilitation, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ammous, O., Feki, W., Lotfi, T., et al.[2023]

Inspiratory muscle training (IM training) has gained attention for its potential to enhance respiratory muscle performance across various clinical conditions beyond chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including asthma and neuromuscular diseases.

Despite its growing use, the effectiveness of IM training remains debated due to methodological limitations in existing studies, highlighting the need for more rigorous research to clarify its benefits and applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspiratory muscle training: integrative review of use in conditions other than COPD. Padula, CA., Yeaw, E.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10982517/

Effect of inspiratory muscle training in children with asthma Findings from randomized controlled trials indicate that inspiratory muscle training enhances respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in pediatric ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187706572200063X

Review Effect of respiratory muscle training in asthma This systematic review showed a significant increase in inspiratory muscle strength after an IMT program in adults with asthma, with no changes in expiratory ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1549652/full

Effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training in patients with ... Conclusion: IMT improved several clinically relevant outcomes, including MIP, exercise capacity, and dyspnoea in different CRDs. However, the ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38562138/

Effect of inspiratory muscle training in children with asthma This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of IMT with threshold loading in children with asthma. ... Results: Six trials ...

5. jornaldepneumologia.com.br jornaldepneumologia.com.br/details/1078/en-US/inspiratory-muscle-training-and-respiratory-exercises-in-children-with-asthma;

Inspiratory muscle training and respiratory exercises in ... Improvements in MIP, walking capacity and quality of life were reported, as was a decrease in dyspnea. Using a very similar methodology, but with a load of 40% ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10024882/

The Effects of Combined Respiratory Muscle and Exercise ... This study found that this regimen can effectively improve respiratory muscle strength, asthma control and quality-of-life in children. Therefore, clinicians ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305417924001475

Inspiratory muscle training impact on respiratory ... Eight weeks of inspiratory muscle training combined with pulmonary rehabilitation program improved children with chest burns' respiratory muscles strength.

8. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/inspiratory-muscle-training-for-childhood-asthma-8746b

Inspiratory Muscle Training for Childhood Asthma Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improved respiratory functions, muscle strength, and asthma symptoms in a study of 34 asthmatic children over 12 ...

9. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3267

12-Week Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Respiratory ... Our findings suggest that increases in inspiratory muscle strength may mediate the improvement of functional capacity and physical activity in asthma patients.