Breathing training offers hope for COVID Long-Haulers with weak diaphragms
NCT ID NCT05582642
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether 6 weeks of special breathing exercises (inspiratory muscle training) can improve diaphragm strength and reduce shortness of breath in 18 COVID-19 survivors who still had trouble breathing. Participants had proven diaphragm weakness and no other explanation for their symptoms. The goal was to see if this simple training could ease their breathing difficulties.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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18 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2022
- Finished
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Jun 2024
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 patients with survived COVID-19, persistent otherwise unexplainable dyspnoea and proven diaphragm dysfunction * Patients aged at least 18 years, who are mentally and physically able to consent and participate into the study Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of another disease, which causes a permanent increase in carbon dioxide level in the blood (chronic hypercapnia) or a permanent combined lung weakness (particularly a neuromuscular disease) * Body-mass-index (BMI) \>40 * Expected absence of active participation of the patient in study-related measurements * Alcohol or drug abuse * Metal implant in the body that is not MRI compatible (NON MRI compatible pacemaker, implantable defibrillator, cervical implants, e.g. brain pacemakers etc.) * Slipped disc * Epilepsy
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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
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RWTH Aachen University
Aachen, 52074, Germany
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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