Is your back pain making you breathe too fast? scientists investigate the link
NCT ID NCT04074798
First seen Sep 17, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers at Hasselt University are studying whether people with chronic low back pain are more likely to hyperventilate, meaning they breathe too quickly or deeply. The trial compares 90 adults, some with long-lasting back pain and some without, measuring their breathing, balance, and psychological factors. The goal is to see if hyperventilation relates to poorer posture control and whether stress or emotions play a role.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If a link exists, it could help doctors understand why some people with chronic low back pain also breathe abnormally, and point to new ways to assess or treat both problems together.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, so it cannot prove cause and effect. The findings may not apply to other groups, and the results might show no meaningful connection between breathing and back pain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
90 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2020
- Finished
-
Sep 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
20 to 60 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria Patients: * Chronic primary low back pain (\>12 weeks) as diagnosed by a medical doctor Inclusion Criteria Healthy controls: * No low back pain Exclusion Criteria: * Insufficient understanding of Dutch language * Previous spinal surgery * Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Interstitial Lung Disease, pulmonary vascular disease, asthma except for exertional asthma * Acute cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disorders * Neuromuscular disease interfering with normal lower limb or trunk functioning * Acute pain or secondary chronic pain * Pregnant and lactating women * Major psychiatric conditions * Acute lower limb problems * Vestibular disorders
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Hyperventilation syndrome are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Hasselt University
Hasselt, 3590, Belgium
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- MRI scans reveal how massage changes back muscles in chronic pain
- Skin patch could replace needle sticks during exercise tests
- Can a new gauge make back pain treatment more precise?
- New physio approach targets mind and body for back pain relief
- Pain education may get people moving again
- New combo therapy aims to ease chronic back pain without drugs