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.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ile de France Ouest - Hôpital Raymond poincaré
Garches, Île-de-France Region, 92380, France