Breathing Techniques for Shortness of Breath

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Florida

Disqualifiers: Neurological, Respiratory, Nicotine, Pregnancy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if specific breathing techniques can keep the mind sharp when breathing is restricted, such as when using masks or diving equipment. It compares two methods: quick, short breaths (Multiple Inhalation Breathing Pattern) and slow, controlled cycles (Tactical Breathing Technique). The goal is to assess whether these techniques help maintain focus and reaction time under stress. Healthy adults with no history of breathing or neurological issues may be suitable participants. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance cognitive performance under stress.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that these breathing techniques are safe for cognitive performance under stress?

Research shows that breathing techniques like Multiple Inhalation Breathing Patterns and Tactical Breathing Techniques can safely help manage stress and improve focus.

The Multiple Inhalation Breathing Pattern involves taking short, quick breaths. Although specific data on its safety is limited, studies on breathing patterns in general suggest that altering breathing can affect feelings and is usually safe if done carefully.

The Tactical Breathing Technique uses slow, deep breaths with pauses and has reduced stress in high-pressure situations, such as those faced by police officers. Research indicates that this method is well-tolerated and can enhance performance under stress.

Overall, these techniques are generally safe for most people when practiced correctly. They focus on controlling breathing to manage stress and improve concentration without serious side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative breathing techniques to alleviate shortness of breath. The Multiple Inhalation Breathing Pattern uses quick, successive inhalations, offering a potentially new way to manage symptoms compared to traditional medications like inhalers or steroids. The Tactical Breathing Technique involves a rhythmic inhale-hold-exhale-hold cycle, which may enhance lung efficiency and control over breathing. These approaches could provide non-drug alternatives, empowering individuals to manage their breathing more effectively with simple techniques.

What evidence suggests that this trial's breathing techniques could be effective for shortness of breath?

This trial will compare two breathing techniques for managing shortness of breath. Research has shown that breathing techniques can improve thinking and focus in stressful situations. Participants in one arm of this trial will use the Tactical Breathing Technique, which involves slowly inhaling, holding the breath, exhaling, and holding again. Military and law enforcement personnel use this technique to perform better under pressure. Meanwhile, participants in another arm will use the Multiple Inhalation Breathing Pattern, which involves brief, rapid, successive inhalations. Although less research exists on breathing patterns with multiple inhales, controlled breathing is known to improve mental state and reaction time. These techniques may help individuals stay focused and react quickly, even when breathing is difficult, such as during diving or firefighting. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who experience shortness of breath or respiratory distress, potentially due to high-demand activities like military operations, diving, or firefighting. Participants should be interested in learning how breathing techniques can affect cognitive performance under stress.

Inclusion Criteria

FVC ≥ 75% predicted (based on ATS/ERS guidelines)

I am between 18 and 45 years old.

I am considered healthy based on recent medical checks.

Exclusion Criteria

History of respiratory illness or recent nicotine use (within 5 years)

Positive COVID-19 test

Positive pregnancy test

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Orientation and Training

Participants undergo informed consent, screening, and training on breathing techniques and psychomotor vigilance tasks

2 days

2 visits (in-person)

Breathing Technique Testing

Participants perform psychomotor vigilance tasks under different breathing techniques using a chest wall force antagonistic device

2 days

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any adverse effects and data is collected for analysis

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Multiple Inhalation Breathing Pattern
• Tactical Breathing Technique

Trial Overview The study tests two different breathing strategies: Multiple Inhalation Breathing Pattern and Tactical Breathing Technique. It aims to see if these can help maintain attention and reaction time when experiencing restricted breathing.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Multiple Inhalation Breathing Pattern Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In this arm, participants use a breathing pattern consisting of brief, rapid, successive inhalations.

Group II: Tactical Breathing Technique Active Control 1 Intervention

In this arm, participants use a slow, paced breathing cycle with intentional inhale-hold-exhale-hold phases.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,428

Recruited

987,000+

Citations

1. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470309/

Abnormal Respirations - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH Respiratory disorders can significantly impact a patient's life by impairing gas exchange, leading to reduced oxygen supply and a buildup of carbon dioxide.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738399114004455

Effects of guided deep breathing on breathlessness and ... Positive effects of the GDBG were detected in GRC scale in breathlessness at four weeks (p = 0.03) with remaining effect compared to MLG (p = 0.04), but not to ...

3. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-17687-8

Respiratory patterns and physical fitness in healthy adults It appears that an intentionally slowed breathing rate can improve mental state and physical condition (e.g., higher visuomotor reaction speed ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11522968/

Breathing techniques to reduce symptoms in people with ... Yoga breathing reduced breathlessness measured with mMRC at 2–4 months compared to usual care, with the mean effect exceeding the MID of 1 point ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07128511

NCT07128511 | Training Strategies to Maintain Performance Primary Outcome: PVT reaction time for each subject between two breathing patterns. Secondary Outcome: Borg discomfort scores after each trial.

6. elsevier.health elsevier.health/en-US/preview/shortness-of-breath-management

Shortness of Breath Management This skill discusses shortness of breath as a whole and how to evaluate, monitor, and manage patients with shortness of breath in an ambulatory setting.

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-11728-x

Increased breathlessness in post-COVID syndrome despite ... However, we also found strongly increased breathlessness during the rebreathing challenge, i.e., when the respiratory stimulus was very strong.

8. physio-pedia.com physio-pedia.com/Breathing_Pattern_Disorders

Breathing Pattern Disorders Breathing Pattern Disorders (BPDs) or Dysfunctional Breathing are abnormal respiratory patterns specifically related to over-breathing.

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/breathing-pattern

Breathing Pattern - an overview The breathlessness sensation is generally caused by either increased minute ventilation (hyperventilation) and associated respiratory alkalosis, or asynchronous ...