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Breathless after COVID? your diaphragm might be the culprit
NCT ID NCT06105450
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This completed study looked at 25 people who had COVID-19 but were not hospitalized, yet still felt short of breath and tired. Researchers measured their diaphragm strength using advanced breathing tests and ultrasound. The goal was to see if diaphragm weakness is a hidden cause of persistent symptoms after a mild infection.
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 this study finds a link, it could point toward better diagnosis and rehabilitation for lingering breathlessness after mild COVID-19.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, completed observational study with only 25 participants. It does not test any treatment, so it cannot prove cause or lead directly to a therapy.
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.
- Participants
-
25 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2024
- Finished
-
Dec 2024
- 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.
Who is studied
A total of 25 patients will be enrolled. Patients from the outpatient clinic of Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care UKA Aachen with a COVID infection at least six months ago without the need for hospitalization during the initial infection phase. Those patients will be compared with healthy controls (availaible data from pre-covid era) matched in a 3:1 ratio for age, sex and body mass index (BMI).
- Ages
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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 with COVID-19 infection without hospitalization during the acute infection (n=25) * Patients aged at least 18 years, who are mentally and physically able to consent and participate into the study Exclusion Criteria: * Clinically pre-established cardiovascular disease or other pulmonary diseases which might lead to exertional dyspnea (systolic heart failure, COPD). * 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 * Bound to a wheel chair
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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
-
Jens Spiesshoefer
Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
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