Pulmonary rehabilitation in underground salt chambers for people with COPD

The Impact of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Conducted in Therapeutic Salt Chambers on the Clinical Status of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

This program will try pulmonary rehabilitation sessions inside underground salt chambers to see if people with COPD breathe better, feel less symptomatic, and improve their fitness.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Krakow, Małopolska)
• Trial ID: NCT07122544 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional program offers pulmonary rehabilitation and climatic (microclimate) therapy conducted in subterranean salt chambers characterized by cool, humid, highly ionized air. Participants take part in guided breathing exercises, general fitness training, relaxation sessions, and health education while clinical status and functional outcomes are measured before and after the intervention. Eligible participants must have COPD with post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.7 and FEV1 ≥ 30% predicted and be able to perform the exercise program. The intervention is delivered at AKF Kraków in Krakow, Poland, using the underground salt-mine environment as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation techniques.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: People with stable COPD who meet GOLD-based spirometric criteria (FEV1/FVC < 0.7, FEV1 ≥ 30% predicted), have a negative bronchodilator reversibility test, can participate in exercise, and can give informed consent would be appropriate candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with recent COPD exacerbation, respiratory failure or other major cardiac, neurologic, oncologic, or musculoskeletal contraindications (including implanted defibrillators or uncontrolled arrhythmias) are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce respiratory symptoms and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life for people with COPD.

How similar studies have performed: Small trials and observational reports of speleotherapy and subterranean microclimate therapies have suggested symptomatic or functional benefits for some respiratory conditions, but high-quality randomized evidence is limited and results are inconsistent.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* COPD diagnosis confirmed by a pulmonology specialist according to the 2025 GOLD guidelines.
* FEV1 ≥ 30% of the predicted value.
* FEV1/FVC \< 0.7 after bronchodilator administration in spirometry.
* Negative bronchodilator reversibility test.
* Voluntary written consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* COPD exacerbation.
* Active cancer or a history of cancer within the past five years.
* Musculoskeletal disorders preventing independent movement and participation in exercise tests and training included in the study protocol.
* Recent (within six months) surgical procedure or trauma to the chest, abdomen, skull, brain, or eye area.
* Severe valvular heart disease.
* Implanted cardioverter-defibrillator.
* Diagnosed arrhythmias posing a risk of loss of consciousness.
* Acute coronary artery disease.
* Epilepsy.
* Uncontrolled arterial hypertension despite medication.
* Primary or secondary immunodeficiencies.
* Respiratory failure requiring chronic or intermittent oxygen therapy.
* Infectious diseases with fever during the experiment or within two weeks before the study.
* Claustrophobia.
* Pregnancy.
* Simultaneous participation in another rehabilitation program.
* Significant changes in pharmacological treatment during the study.

Where this trial is running

Krakow, Małopolska

• AKF Kraków — Krakow, Małopolska, Poland (Recruiting)

Conditions COPD; speleotherapy