Brain zaps may help weak diaphragms breathe easier
NCT ID NCT01548586
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS could change how the brain controls the diaphragm, the main breathing muscle. Twelve healthy men received three types of stimulation (anodal, cathodal, and placebo) on different days. The researchers measured electrical signals from the diaphragm before and after each session to see if brain excitability changed. This is a preliminary step to see if tDCS might someday help people with diaphragm weakness.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could pave the way for using tDCS to help people with diaphragm weakness breathe better.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study in healthy volunteers, not patients. It only measures brain signals, not actual breathing improvement, so real-world benefits are uncertain.
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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12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Jan 2012
- Finished
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May 2012
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
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 35 years
- Sex
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Male participants only
- 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: * Right handed, * Healthy male volunteers * Aged ≥ 18 and ≤ 35 years * No history of neurological or respiratory disease * BMI (body mass index \< 30) Exclusion Criteria: * Female sex * Vulnerable people as defined in the provisions relating to biomedical researches and described in the Code of Public Health. * Recent or ongoing use of antibiotic drugs, antidepressants or psychotropic drugs. * Recent hospitalization (within 3 months). * No affiliation to a social security system.
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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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Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ile de France Ouest - Hôpital Raymond poincaré
Garches, Île-de-France Region, 92380, France