Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Comparing ultrasound elastography to respiratory function tests

Official title: Comparison of Shear-wave Elastography to State-of-the-art Respiratory Function Testing to Measure the Range of Forces Generated by the Diaphragm Muscle

Run by Mayo Clinic · NCT04959526 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a new ultrasound method can better measure how well the diaphragm works compared to standard breathing tests in healthy adults.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment24 (estimated)
SponsorMayo Clinic
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Rochester, Minnesota)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 28, 2021
Main results expectedDecember 2026
Study endsDecember 2026
Registry record updatedMarch 16, 2026
Trial IDNCT04959526 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adult males and females without any known pulmonary pathology.

Probably not a fit

Patients with existing respiratory conditions such as COPD or asthma requiring routine treatment may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the relationship between transdiaphragmatic pressure and diaphragm shear-wave elastography during advanced respiratory muscle testing. It involves healthy adult volunteers undergoing various respiratory tests, including maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, as well as phrenic nerve stimulation. The goal is to determine how effectively shear-wave elastography can assess diaphragm function compared to traditional respiratory function tests.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the assessment of diaphragm function, leading to better management of respiratory conditions.

How similar studies have gone: While the use of shear-wave elastography is gaining interest, this specific comparison with respiratory function testing is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

\- Adult male and female healthy volunteers.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Volunteers who are pregnant.
* Volunteers with known pulmonary pathology (COPD, asthma requiring routine treatment).

Where it's running

  • Mayo Clinic in Rochester
    Rochester, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Carlos Matilla, MD, PhD — Mayo Clinic

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.