IMST for Chronic Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure

Overseen By Emily Andrews

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver

Must be taking: Antihypertensives

Must not be taking: Immunosuppressants, Steroids

Disqualifiers: Advanced kidney disease, Pulmonary disorders, Heart failure, others

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

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

108 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new method to lower high blood pressure in individuals with chronic kidney disease using inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST). IMST involves breathing exercises to enhance muscle strength, potentially aiding in blood pressure control and improving blood vessel health. Participants will engage in either high-resistance or low-resistance breathing exercises. The trial seeks individuals over 50, post-menopausal if female, with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease, and difficulty maintaining low blood pressure despite medication. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative treatments that could enhance health and well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must be on a stable blood pressure medication regimen for at least 6 weeks before joining the study.

What prior data suggests that this inspiratory muscle strength training is safe for individuals with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure?

A previous study showed that high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) is a promising and safe method. Research suggests it can help lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel function. This training is quick and may be easier for people to maintain compared to other exercises. Earlier studies have reported no major safety issues. The trial remains in an early stage, so researchers continue to gather detailed safety information. However, the absence of major side effects so far suggests that IMST could be well-tolerated by participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) is unique because it offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to managing chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on medications like ACE inhibitors or diuretics, IMST focuses on strengthening respiratory muscles through high-resistance breathing exercises. Researchers are excited about this technique because it could improve cardiovascular health and kidney function by enhancing respiratory efficiency, potentially leading to better patient outcomes without the side effects associated with long-term medication use.

What evidence suggests that IMST is effective for chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure?

Research has shown that a breathing exercise called high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST), which participants in this trial may receive, can help lower blood pressure. One study found that participants' top blood pressure number dropped from 135 to 126, with this improvement mostly lasting six weeks after completing the training. This method shows particular promise for people with chronic kidney disease, who often experience high blood pressure. IMST strengthens the muscles used for breathing, which appears to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. These findings suggest that IMST can effectively enhance heart health in individuals with kidney problems. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michel B Chonchol, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Colorado, Denver

Kristen Nowak, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

University of Colorado, Denver

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults over 50 with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure that's not well-controlled, despite being on stable medication for at least 6 weeks. Participants should be non-smokers, not have had recent hospitalizations or severe heart failure, and cannot be using immunosuppressants or have significant lung diseases.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 50 and, if female, I am post-menopausal.

I have moderate to severe kidney disease with stable kidney function in the last 3 months.

My blood pressure has been between 120-159 mmHg despite medication for the last 6 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a serious lung condition like COPD, lung scarring, cystic fibrosis, or severe asthma.

You are currently smoking cigarettes.

Illicit drug use or alcohol dependence/abuse, which in the opinion of the investigators, would prohibit compliance with the study intervention

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) or sham training for 3 months

12 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• IMST
• Sham Training

Trial Overview The trial is testing whether a type of breathing exercise called high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) can lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel function in older adults with kidney disease. It compares IMST to a sham training to see if it's effective.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: IMST Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will perform high-resistance (75% of maximal inspiratory pressure) inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST), 30 inhalations/session, 6 days/week.

Group II: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

This group will perform low-resistance (15% of maximal inspiratory pressure) inspiratory muscle strength training, 30 inhalations/session, 6 days/week.

IMST is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training for:

• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Hypertension

Approved in European Union as Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training for:

• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Respiratory Muscle Weakness

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Colorado, Denver

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,842

Recruited

3,028,000+

University of Colorado, Boulder

Collaborator

Trials

128

Recruited

29,600+

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Collaborator

Trials

2,513

Recruited

4,366,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

High-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) significantly lowers systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 9 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 4 mmHg in adults over 6 weeks, with effects noticeable as early as week 2.

IMST also improves inspiratory muscle strength, as indicated by increased maximal inspiratory pressure (PIMAX), and is effective across a wide range of adult ages and health statuses, making it a promising intervention for managing blood pressure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A multi-trial, retrospective analysis of the antihypertensive effects of high-resistance, low-volume inspiratory muscle strength training. Craighead, DH., Tavoian, D., Freeberg, KA., et al.[2023]

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly reduces systolic blood pressure (SBP) by an average of 12.55 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 4.77 mmHg in patients with hypertension, based on a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials involving 215 patients.

Low-intensity IMT is particularly effective, showing greater reductions in both SBP and DBP compared to medium-high-intensity IMT, suggesting it could be a valuable auxiliary treatment for managing hypertension.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of inspiratory muscle training in patients with hypertension: a meta-analysis. Zheng, S., Zhang, Q., Li, S., et al.[2023]

Inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) significantly increases maximal inspiratory pressure and reduces dyspnea in both older adults without COPD and those with COPD, demonstrating its efficacy as a respiratory intervention.

IMST particularly enhances functional status and quality of life in older adults without COPD, suggesting that this training can benefit a broader population beyond just COPD patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of inspiratory muscle strength training effects between older subjects with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Huang, CH., Yang, GG., Wu, YT., et al.[2016]

In a study of 10 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis, specific inspiratory muscle training (SIMT) significantly improved inspiratory muscle performance and functional capacity over 3 months.

The control group that received sham training did not show any improvements, highlighting the efficacy of SIMT in enhancing muscle strength and overall function in these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Specific inspiratory muscle training in chronic hemodialysis]. Weiner, P., Ganem, R., Zamir, D., et al.[2006]

High-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) over 6 weeks significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in midlife and older adults, with effects lasting for at least 6 weeks after the training ended.

IMST also improved endothelial function, as shown by a 45% increase in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, indicating its potential as a safe and effective intervention for cardiovascular health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Time-Efficient Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Endothelial Function, NO Bioavailability, and Oxidative Stress in Midlife/Older Adults With Above-Normal Blood Pressure. Craighead, DH., Heinbockel, TC., Freeberg, KA., et al.[2022]

Inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) was successfully adapted for two infants with congenital heart disease, leading to improved inspiratory muscle performance and successful weaning from mechanical ventilation without any adverse events.

Both infants showed significant improvements in maximal inspiratory pressure and breathing patterns, allowing them to transition to high-flow nasal cannula without needing reintubation during their hospitalization.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspiratory muscle strength training in infants with congenital heart disease and prolonged mechanical ventilation: a case report. Smith, BK., Bleiweis, MS., Neel, CR., et al.[2021]

Inspiratory muscle training significantly improves respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, as evidenced by increased maximal inspiratory pressure and improved performance on the 6-minute walk test.

Compared to breathing exercises, inspiratory muscle training also enhances lung function, specifically showing greater improvements in maximal expiratory pressure and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), although the overall quality of evidence is low due to methodological limitations in the studies reviewed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspiratory muscle training improves respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review. de Medeiros, AIC., Fuzari, HKB., Rattesa, C., et al.[2019]

The study involved 15 sedentary patients undergoing hemodialysis who used an Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) for 12 weeks, resulting in significant improvements in respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions, including FVC%, FEV1%, PEF%, PImax, and PEmax.

Despite the improvements in respiratory metrics, there was no significant change in the FEV1/FVC% ratio or oxygen saturation levels, indicating that while IMT enhances certain aspects of respiratory function, it may not affect all pulmonary parameters equally.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary functions and muscle strength in sedentary hemodialysis patients. El-Deen, HAB., Alanazi, FS., Ahmed, KT.[2020]

In a study of 24 chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis, daily inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for 8 weeks led to significant changes in chest wall regional volumes, particularly increasing the inspiratory capacity of the pulmonary rib cage compared to a sham group.

Both the IMT and sham groups showed improvements in inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, indicating that while IMT was effective in altering lung volume distribution, it did not significantly outperform the sham intervention in terms of muscle strength gains.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of daily inspiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength and chest wall regional volumes in haemodialysis patients: a randomised clinical trial. Medeiros, AIC., Brandão, DC., Souza, RJP., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12061950/

High-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training A novel physical training intervention, high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) can reduce barriers to exercise for patients with CKD.

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1582777/full

High-resistance Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) demonstrate accelerated vascular aging which contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

3. uchealth.org uchealth.org/today/study-inspiratory-muscle-strength-training-for-blood-pressure-and-chronic-kidney-disease/

Can breathing help to control blood pressure and chronic ... The supposition of the current study is that high-intensity IMST could help to lower blood pressure in some people with chronic kidney disease ( ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05000515

Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training for Lowering Blood ... Aerobic exercise (AE) is a first-line, standard-of-care therapy for lowering BP. In PM women with baseline SBP ≥120 mmHg, AE reduces casual (resting) SBP by ~3 ...

5. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.121.020980

Time‐Efficient Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training Lowers ... Casual systolic blood pressure decreased from 135±2 mm Hg to 126±3 mm Hg (P<0.01) with IMST, which was ≈75% sustained 6 weeks after IMST (P<0.01) ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9150656/

Time-efficient, high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength ... Early research suggests high-resistance IMST may promote adherence, lower blood pressure and potentially improve vascular endothelial function. However, ...

7. clinicaltrial.be clinicaltrial.be/en/details/43239?per_page=20&recruiting=1&enrolling_by_invitation=1&active_not_recruiting=1&not_yet_recruiting=0&completed=0&only_recruiting=0&only_eligible=0

Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training in Chronic Kidney Di... Sham training (15% PImax) reduces resting systolic blood pressure in midlife and older adults (>50 years) with moderate-to-severe CKD and ...