How different doses of inspiratory muscle strength training affect blood pressure and blood vessel function

Dose-Response Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training on Blood Pressure and Vascular Function

NA · University of Minnesota · NCT07109739

This 6-week test sees if different amounts of inspiratory muscle strength training lower systolic blood pressure and improve blood vessel function in adults with above-normal systolic blood pressure.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment144 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Minnesota (other)
Locations1 site (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Trial IDNCT07109739 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with resting systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg or higher will complete 6 weeks of inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) using the POWERbreathe K5 device at varying training doses. Resting systolic blood pressure and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation will be measured before and after the training period to examine dose-related responses. Participants must be at least 18 years old, non-smokers, English-speaking, and free of serious cardiovascular or metabolic disease and other contraindications to IMST. The protocol includes standardized pre-visit restrictions on food, caffeine, exercise, alcohol, and non-prescribed medications to ensure consistent measurement conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 or older with resting systolic blood pressure ≥120 mmHg who are non-smokers, English-speaking, and have no serious cardiovascular or metabolic disease or contraindications to IMST.

Not a fit: People with established cardiovascular disease, recent abdominal surgery, ear conditions such as a ruptured eardrum, asthma with very low symptom perception, smokers, or those unable to attend in-person visits are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, IMST could provide a non-drug way to lower systolic blood pressure and improve arterial health.

How similar studies have performed: Prior small clinical studies have shown that IMST can reduce blood pressure and improve vascular measures, but dose-response data over a 6-week period are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years
* Resting SBP ≥120 mmHg as measured during screening 1 \& 2
* Free from serious CV or metabolic diseases as identified by self-report and blood chemistry analysis.
* No contraindications to IMST (recent abdominal surgery, ruptured eardrum, asthma with very low symptom perception, fractured ribs, or pneumothorax)
* Language: English-speaking, with ability to comprehend study materials and instructions.
* Pre-visit Compliance: Willing to comply with pre-visit instructions (avoiding food and caffeine ≥ 3 hours, vigorous exercise, alcohol, and non-prescribed medications ≥ 24 hours) prior to each measurement visit.
* Lifestyle: Non-smokers (defined as self-report of not smoking cigarettes or vaping over the past year).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Self-report of history of cardiovascular disease, or conditions affecting the ear (e.g., ruptured eardrum).
* Recent abdominal surgery or presence of an abdominal hernia.
* Asthma with very low symptom perception, frequent severe exacerbations, or abnormally low perception of dyspnea.
* Ruptured eardrum or any other condition of the ear.
* Markedly elevated left ventricular end-diastolic volume and pressure.
* Current respiratory conditions such as a cold, sinusitis, or respiratory tract infection (participants may be included once they recover from the respiratory condition).
* Female-Specific: Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period.
* Compliance: Unable or unwilling to comply with pre-visit restrictions (e.g., avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and exercise within specified hours before visits).

Where this trial is running

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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: Systolic Hypertension, Brachial Artery Flow-mediated Dilation

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.