Breathing workouts may sharpen young minds and strengthen a key muscle
NCT ID NCT07757139
First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether different intensities of breathing exercises (inspiratory muscle training) can improve diaphragm function, thinking, sleep, and mood in young adults aged 18-25 who have low muscle mass. Participants will be randomly assigned to high-intensity, moderate-intensity, or a sham (very low-intensity) breathing training for six weeks, five days a week. The study will measure changes in diaphragm thickness and movement using ultrasound, as well as cognitive function, sleep quality, anxiety, and quality of life. The goal is to see if breathing exercises can offer a simple way to counteract some of the downsides of low muscle mass.
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 (breathing exercises using a device) at high, moderate, or sham intensity
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point to a simple breathing exercise routine that improves diaphragm function, thinking, sleep, and mood in young adults with low muscle mass.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial, and the results may not apply to everyone. The benefits might be modest or not last long, and the training requires daily effort.
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
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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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69 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Finished
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Jun 2026
- 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 25 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Young adults aged 18 to 25 years. * Low skeletal muscle mass defined as a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) \< 8.87 kg/m² for men and \< 6.42 kg/m² for women. * Clinically stable and able to safely participate in inspiratory muscle training. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Able to comply with the study procedures and complete all assessments. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, psychiatric, respiratory, or other systemic diseases that could influence study outcomes. * History of surgery that could affect participation or outcome assessments. * Cognitive, psychological, or mental conditions that could interfere with participation or completion of the assessments. * Inability or unwillingness to complete the intervention protocol or follow-up assessments. * Any contraindication to inspiratory muscle training as determined by the investigators.
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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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Munzur University Faculty of Health Sciences
Tunceli, Turkey (Türkiye)