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Behavioral Intervention

Ujjayi yogic breathing training for Spinal Cord Injury

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By J. Andrew Taylor, MS, PhD
Research Sponsored by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
* Spinal cord injury
* American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) score of A, B, or C
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up change in sleep quality, time frame: baseline, week 6
Awards & highlights

Summary

The goal of this interventional study is to understand how regular yogic breathing practice, particularly a slow resistive yogic breathing technique called Ujjayi, would benefit individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 with spinal cord injuries. Previously yogic breathing has shown to improve respiratory function and sleep- we'd like to explore this further. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How does Ujjayi breathing affect breathing patterns in individuals with spinal cord injuries? * How does Ujjayi breathing affect lung function in individuals with spinal cord injuries? * How does Ujjayi breathing affect the part of the nervous system responsible for ventilatory control in individuals with spinal cord injuries? * How does Ujjayi breathing affect ventilatory perfusion (how well air and blood flow match in the lungs for efficient gas exchange) in individuals with spinal cord injuries? * How does Ujjayi breathing affect sleep quality in individuals with spinal cord injuries? Participants will undergo six weeks of training in Ujjayi breathing. Before and after this period, they will visit the lab for measurements of blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen levels, and breathing. They will also perform several tests: * Pulmonary function testing to assess lung capacity and respiratory muscle strength. * Pace breathing frequency to four pre-recorded audio files at various breathing rates. * Breathing exercises involving higher levels of carbon dioxide for a short time. * Breathing exercises involving lower levels of oxygen for a short time. * At-home sleep evaluation. Between the two laboratory testing sessions, participants will practice yogic resistance breathing (Ujjayi breathing) for six weeks.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for individuals aged 18-60 with spinal cord injuries. It's designed to see if a type of yogic breathing called Ujjayi can improve their respiratory function and sleep quality. Participants will need to commit to six weeks of breath training and lab visits for various tests.
What is being tested?
The study is testing the effects of Ujjayi Yogic Breathing on people with spinal cord injuries, focusing on breathing patterns, lung function, ventilatory control by the nervous system, air-blood flow matching in lungs, and sleep quality. The intervention includes six weeks of breath training.
What are the potential side effects?
Yogic breathing is generally considered safe but may cause discomfort due to changes in usual breathing patterns or dizziness during exercises involving altered carbon dioxide or oxygen levels.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~change in sleep quality, time frame: baseline, week 6
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and change in sleep quality, time frame: baseline, week 6 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Central and peripheral chemosensitivity after regular Ujjayi breathing
Pulmonary function after regular Ujjayi breathing
Sleep quality after regular Ujjayi breathing
+2 more

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Ujjayi yogic breathing trainingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
This study will be a small (N = 20) prospective cohort study with a single unblinded intervention of Ujjayi resistance breathing.

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Who is running the clinical trial?

Spaulding Rehabilitation HospitalLead Sponsor
137 Previous Clinical Trials
11,060 Total Patients Enrolled
J. Andrew Taylor, MS, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorHarvard Medical School/Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
~13 spots leftby Jan 2026