Brain zaps for breathlessness: tiny trial tests tDCS in COPD Flare-Ups
NCT ID NCT06944626
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This small study tested whether a painless brain stimulation technique called tDCS could reduce shortness of breath in people hospitalized with a COPD flare-up. Thirty participants received either real tDCS or a sham version, plus standard physiotherapy, over three days. Researchers measured breathing, lung function, and daily activity levels to see if the brain stimulation made a difference.
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)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new, non-drug way to help COPD patients feel less breathless during a flare-up.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study with only 30 people. The results may not apply to everyone, and the effect might be small or not last long.
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
-
30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Apr 2025
- Finished
-
Sep 2025
- 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
-
18 years and older
- 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 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: * Diagnosed with COPD and followed up for at least 6 months * Hospitalised due to an exacerbation * Have not taken any medication affecting the nervous system in the last 6 months * Co-operative * Have the ability to participate in working procedures * Over 18 years of age, * The specialist physician finds it suitable for physiotherapy applications, * Volunteers who want to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Having comorbidities other than COPD, such as bronchiectasis, lung cancer or asthma * Surgery in the last 6 months (volume reduction surgery, etc.) * Neuromuscular disease * Pulmonary embolism or pulmonary oedema * Presence of cranial, cardiac, spinal cord, intra-aural metal implants * Epilepsy * Patients on invasive mechanical ventilation * Patient with cardiac pace maker
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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
-
İstinye Üniversitesi
Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, 08100, Turkey (Türkiye)
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