Comparing slow coherent breathing, faster structured breathing, and quiet rest to reduce acute stress
Breathwork and Stress: Investigating the Mechanisms of Action and Effectiveness of Breathing Interventions in Modulating the Psychophysiological Response to Acute Stress Test
This study will test whether slow coherent breathing at 6 breaths per minute reduces physical stress markers more than faster structured breathing or sitting quietly in healthy adults aged 18–60.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of Bialystok Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bialystok, Podlaskie Voivodeship) |
| Trial ID | NCT07529379 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, three-arm trial compares a 10-minute coherent-breathing intervention (6 breaths/min) with a matched sham breathing pattern (15 breaths/min) and a passive quiet-rest control. Participants complete baseline measurements, receive the assigned intervention, undergo the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST) as a standardized laboratory stressor, and are measured again during immediate recovery. Primary outcomes include heart rate variability and stress biomarkers (e.g., cortisol) alongside self-report mood and anxiety scales. The protocol excludes people with major medical or psychiatric conditions, regular breathwork practice, or medication that affects cardiac or stress responses.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18–60 who are employed or university students, able to attend an in-person laboratory session, and not currently engaged in regular breathwork or meditation practice.
Not a fit: People with serious cardiac conditions, pregnancy, current use of anxiolytics or beta-blockers, regular breathwork/meditation practice, professional athletes, or inability to abstain from alcohol/caffeine/nicotine before testing are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could show that a simple 10-minute 6-breaths-per-minute technique reliably lowers physiological stress markers and offers a low-cost, non-drug way to reduce acute stress.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown that slow, paced and resonance breathing can improve heart rate variability and reduce stress in some settings, but directly controlled comparisons against matched sham breathing are still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy adults * Aged 18 to 60 years * Willingness to participate in all study phases, including preparation and laboratory session. * Professionally active individuals or university students. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe chronic diseases, including metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes) and mental disorders. * Cardiac arrhythmia, history of heart attacks, strokes, or heart surgery. * Regular use of medications such as anxiolytics or beta-blockers (excluding hormonal contraception) * Pregnancy. * Current participation in other scientific experiments. * Significant previous experience with breathing techniques or current independent breathwork/meditation practice (defined as regular practice for more than 7 days in total within the last 12 months). * Professional sports practice. * Raynaud's disease * Inability to abstain from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine for the required periods before the experiment
Where this trial is running
Bialystok, Podlaskie Voivodeship
- Medical University of Bialystok. Department of Physiology. — Bialystok, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Adam Siebieszuk, Master
- Email: adam.siebieszuk@sd.umb.edu.pl
- Phone: +48 85 748 55 85
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.