Exploring the effects of walking while holding your breath on pain and heart and lung function

Effects of Walking Apnea at High Lung Volume on Hypoalgesia, Cardiovascular Function and Respiratory Function

Phase 3 Interventional Centro Universitario La Salle · NCT06158282

This study tests if walking while holding your breath can change how people feel pain and affect their heart and lung function in healthy adults aged 18 to 64.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentro Universitario La Salle Academic / other
Locations1 site (Madrid)
Trial IDNCT06158282 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled study investigates the hypoalgesic response to a six-minute session of intermittent walking apneas at high lung volume in healthy individuals. The primary focus is on understanding how this unique breathing technique affects pain perception, while secondary objectives include analyzing cardiovascular and respiratory responses during the intervention. Participants will be asymptomatic adults aged 18 to 64, and the study aims to gather insights into the physiological effects of voluntary apnea during physical activity.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adults aged 18 to 64 without any significant medical history.

Not a fit: Patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurological, or osteomuscular conditions, as well as those experiencing pain, will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a novel method for pain management and improve cardiovascular and respiratory health.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of walking apneas is novel, similar studies exploring breath control and its effects on pain and physiological responses have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Asymptomatic subjects aged between 18 and 64 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurological or osteomuscular signs or pathologies.
* History of epilepsy.
* Pregnant
* Pharmacological treatment.
* Participants who present any type of pain on the day of the measurements or who have frequently suffered pain during the previous 4 weeks.

Where this trial is running

Madrid

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.
Conditions PainHypoxiaHypercapniaApnea
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.