Brain zaps may help weak diaphragms breathe easier
NCT ID NCT01548586
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS could change how the brain controls the diaphragm, the main breathing muscle. Twelve healthy men received three types of stimulation (anodal, cathodal, and placebo) on different days. The researchers measured electrical signals from the diaphragm before and after each session to see if brain excitability changed. This is a preliminary step to see if tDCS might someday help people with diaphragm weakness.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could pave the way for using tDCS to help people with diaphragm weakness breathe better.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study in healthy volunteers, not patients. It only measures brain signals, not actual breathing improvement, so real-world benefits are uncertain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ile de France Ouest - Hôpital Raymond poincaré
Garches, Île-de-France Region, 92380, France