Breathe easy: simple breathing exercises may ease stress in autism

NCT ID NCT07238153

Symptom relief Sponsor: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether guided breathing exercises can help autistic young adults (ages 16-25) manage stress and improve heart rate variability, a measure of how well the body handles stress. Participants will practice two types of slow breathing exercises and report how useful they find them. The goal is to see if this simple, drug-free technique can support emotional well-being.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: guided breathing exercises (slow-paced breathing and heart rate variability biofeedback)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way for autistic young adults to reduce stress and improve emotional control.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 68 participants. The breathing exercises may not work for everyone, and the benefits might not last long-term.

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

About 68 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Nov 2025

Expected to finish

Apr 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

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

16 to 25 years

Sex

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * For participants ≥18 years a voluntary written informed consent and for participants \< 18 years a written informed consent from the parents or their legally authorized representative and an informed assent of the participant has been obtained prior to any screening procedures * Male or Female (biological) * Between 16 and 25 years old * Diagnosis of autism as described in the DSM-IV/DSM-5(-TR) Exclusion Criteria: * Participant has a history of congenital heart diseases, diagnosed cardiovascular abnormalities or somatic diseases conditions that may interfere with the main outcome measure HRV or with the safe practice of breathing exercises (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, severe respiratory illness) * Presence of contra-indications for participating (intervention and/or assessment): acute agitation and/or severe psychiatric symptoms (psychosis, mania or major depression) and/or active substance use. * The presence of an intellectual disability, defined as an intelligence quotient \< 70, as described in the DSM-IV/DSM-V. * Insufficient knowledge of Dutch language in order to follow instructions and fill out questionnaires. * Female who is pregnant. * Participation in another interventional study, with or without an investigational medicinal product (IMP) or device (IMD). * The use of medication known to affect cardiac modulation (excluding hormonal contraceptives). * Hearing- or vision impairment that cannot be corrected to normal functioning.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autism autism spectrum disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Autism Autism spectrum disorder

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Breathe easy: simple breathing exercises may ease stress in autism

What the study statuses mean