Improving blood pressure and vascular function in older adults with sleep-disordered breathing through muscle training.
Official title: Time-efficient inspiratory muscle strength training for improving blood pressure and vascular function in older adults with sleep-disordered breathing
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11081806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a quick and easy breathing exercise that takes just 5 minutes a day for six weeks to see if it can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health in older adults with sleep apnea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $645,677 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG065346-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea who may have difficulty adhering to traditional exercise programs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sleep-disordered breathing or those who are not older adults may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a time-efficient method of inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) aimed at lowering blood pressure and improving vascular function in older adults suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Participants will engage in a simple training regimen that requires only about 5 minutes a day for six weeks. The study focuses on how this training can reduce resting systolic blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health, particularly in a population that often struggles with traditional exercise regimens. By targeting the sympathetic nervous system's activity, the research aims to provide a novel approach to managing hypertension in older adults with sleep-related breathing disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a simple and effective intervention for lowering blood pressure and enhancing cardiovascular health in older adults with sleep-disordered breathing.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, indicating potential for significant improvements in blood pressure and vascular function.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bailey, E. Fiona — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Bailey, E. Fiona
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.