Ujjayi yogic breathing to improve heart‑lung synchrony after spinal cord injury
Official title: Yoga Breath Training to Improve Cardiorespiratory Synchrony in Spinal Cord Injury
Run by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · NCT06514950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cambridge, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | April 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06514950 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.