Breathe away anxiety? stanford tests cyclic sighing and box breathing.

NCT ID NCT06526585

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study from Stanford University tests whether two breathing techniques—cyclic sighing and box breathing—can lower anxiety, compared to hypnosis or listening to an audiobook about stress. Eighty adults will practice daily for 4 weeks and have their brain activity and heart rate measured using MRI and wearable sensors. The goal is to see if these simple practices provide immediate and lasting relief from anxiety.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: breathing exercises (cyclic sighing and box breathing)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward simple, drug-free breathing techniques to help manage anxiety in daily life.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 80 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and the benefits might be no better than listening to an audiobook.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY STRESS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
RECRUITING

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

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