Breathing training to improve sleep apnea and cognitive function

Micromanaging Human Sleep Physiology to Treat Sleep Apnea and Other Disorders

NA · Northwestern University · NCT06926036

This study tests whether breathing training can help people with sleep apnea sleep better and think more clearly.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment18 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorNorthwestern University (other)
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT06926036 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of a combination of breathing training during wakefulness and targeted reactivation of this training during sleep on individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Participants will undergo a week of breath training at home, followed by a night of sleep monitoring in a lab setting to assess changes in breathing patterns and cognitive benefits. The approach aims to leverage both behavioral and physiological interventions to enhance sleep quality and cognitive performance in affected individuals.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are right-handed, English-speaking adults aged 18-60 with suspected obstructive sleep apnea who are not currently receiving treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with other sleep disorders, neurological or cardiometabolic diseases, or those currently undergoing treatment for sleep apnea may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve sleep quality and cognitive function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of interventions in this study may be novel, similar approaches focusing on breathing techniques have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Right-handed, English-speaking adults, 18-60 years old who report normal hearing during sleep
2. Participants with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (including those who have been diagnosed by a physician and those whose self-reported symptoms of OSA on the STOP-BANG questionnaire classify them as being "individuals with intermediate to high risk".
3. No report of any other sleep disorder besides OSA.
4. No report of any neurological or cardiometabolic diseases or disorders.
5. Not currently under active treatment for sleep apnea.
6. BMI ≤ 40.

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Sleep Apnea Obstructive, sleep, sleep apnea obstructive

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.