Simple breathing training may ease heart failure symptoms in seniors
NCT ID NCT06576297
First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a 12-week home-based breathing exercise program (inspiratory muscle training) can improve physical function, fatigue, and quality of life in adults aged 70 and older with advanced heart failure who are receiving palliative care. Participants use a handheld device to strengthen their breathing muscles. The goal is to see if this safe, low-cost approach can help older patients maintain independence and feel better day-to-day.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- inspiratory muscle training using a PrO2™ device
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this simple home-based breathing exercise could become a standard part of palliative care to help older heart failure patients stay stronger and feel better.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small early feasibility study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The training may be too demanding for some frail patients.
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
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2024
- Finished
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Feb 2025
- 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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70 years and older
- 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: * Patients with Advanced Heart Failure (HFrEF or HFpEF), with NYHA class II, III, or IV despite a minimum of * 6 weeks of treatment * Age \>70 years * Male and Female * Optimal therapy according to AHA/ACC and HFSA HF guidelines Exclusion Criteria: * Patients living in an institutional setting (e.g., skilled nursing home) during the intended period of this study. * Major cardiovascular event or procedure within the prior 6 weeks. * HF secondary to significant uncorrected primary valvular disease (except mitral regurgitation secondary to left ventricular dysfunction). If valve replacement has been performed, the participant may not be enrolled for 12 months after this procedure. * Dementia * Severe COPD (FEV1\<50%), PVD, and/or Anemia * End-stage malignancy * Severe valvular heart disease * Psychiatric hospitalization within the last 3 months * Chronic ETOH or drug dependency. We will exclude all of the following special populations: * Adults unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Pregnant women * Prisoners
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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
-
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
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