Effect of yoga breathing on memory performance
Investigating the Effect of Yoga-based Breathing Styles on the Human Brain, With a Focus on Memory
This study is testing if yoga breathing techniques can help improve memory in adults who have never tried yoga or meditation before.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universität des Saarlandes Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Homburg, Saarland) |
| Trial ID | NCT05846425 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates whether yoga-based breathing techniques can enhance memory performance in adults who have no prior experience with yoga or meditation. Participants will undergo a memory test while practicing specific nasal and oral breathing styles. Following the test, they will engage in a two-week training period focusing on either nasal or mouth breathing, or no training at all, depending on their assigned group. The study aims to compare the effects of these different breathing styles on memory ability and subjective stress levels.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults without prior experience in yoga or meditation and without significant health issues that could affect breathing exercises.
Not a fit: Patients with known respiratory or neurological conditions, psychiatric illnesses, or those on medications that could skew results may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-invasive method to improve memory performance and reduce stress in individuals.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically on yoga-based breathing and memory, similar studies on mindfulness and breathing techniques have shown promising results.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Willingness to take on the 2-week exercises but no new athletic or meditative activities * Yoga-naive and without significant prior experience in various meditative or athletic disciplines that ostensibly involve elements of breath control * Access to a device with internet access * Signing of the consent form to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Known clinically relevant internal or neurological diseases, especially if associated with chronic pathological oxygenation (e.g. COPD, severe bronchial asthma, sleep apnea, but also CKD). * History of drug or alcohol abuse * Known psychiatric illnesses that currently require therapy (e.g., pronounced claustrophobia) * Medication that could falsify the data collected * Lack of consent to take note of possible incidental findings * known epileptic seizures, which could be intensified by the visual insertion of the stimuli
Where this trial is running
Homburg, Saarland
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Saarland University Medical Center — Homburg, Saarland, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christoph Krick, Dr.rer.med. — University of Saarland
- Study coordinator: Maximilian A Becker
- Email: maximilian_arno.becker@uni-saarland.de
- Phone: +49 176 20205231
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.