Ujjayi yogic breathing to improve heart‑lung synchrony after spinal cord injury
Yoga Breath Training to Improve Cardiorespiratory Synchrony in Spinal Cord Injury
This trial will try regular Ujjayi yogic breathing with adults 18–60 who have spinal cord injuries to see if it improves breathing patterns, lung function, breathing control, and sleep.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cambridge, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06514950 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional protocol enrolls 20 adults (ages 18–60) with spinal cord injuries (AIS A–C) and uses baseline and post‑intervention laboratory testing over six weeks at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Cambridge, MA. Participants receive coached Ujjayi Pranayama training in weeks 1 and 4 and are asked to practice at home (~20 minutes, twice daily) with virtual support and an app. Outcomes include controlled and uncontrolled breathing measurements, hypercapnic ventilatory response, ventilatory‑perfusion matching, cardiopulmonary synchrony, and sleep quality. The goal is to determine whether regular slow resistive yogic breathing improves respiratory control and cardiopulmonary function in this population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are medically stable adults 18–60 with spinal cord injury (AIS A–C) who use a wheelchair, can follow directions, have a BMI of 18.5–35, and can use the study's Prana app for home practice.
Not a fit: People with significant lung or heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, major comorbidities (such as diabetes, renal disease, cancer, or epilepsy), current use of CPAP/BiPAP, active tobacco use, significant arrhythmia or bleeding disorders, or an incompatible device are unlikely to qualify or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, regular Ujjayi breathing could improve lung function, breathing control, and sleep quality, potentially lowering respiratory and cardiovascular risks for people with spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies and clinical reports suggest yogic breathing can improve respiratory function and sleep, but applying Ujjayi breathing specifically in spinal cord injury is relatively novel and not well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Spinal cord injury * American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) score of A, B, or C * Aged 18-60 years * Wheelchair user * Medically stable and able to follow directions * Body mass index of 18.5 - 35 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Resting blood pressure of \>140/90 mmHg * Current use of tobacco or cardioactive medications (except medication to support blood pressure) * Significant arrhythmia * Bleeding disorder * Pulmonary disease * Coronary artery disease * Diabetes * Renal disease * Cancer * Epilepsy or other neurological diseases * Current use of CPAP/BIPAP * Has smartphone or device incompatible with the PranaTM application
Where this trial is running
Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital — Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: J. Andrew Taylor, MS, PhD — Harvard Medical School/Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Study coordinator: J. Andrew Taylor, MS, PhD
- Email: jandrew_taylor@hms.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-758-5503
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.