Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) for 1st Trimester Nausea and Vomiting

University of Minnesota (UMN)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Nausea; Pregnancy Emesis

Treatments: Behavioral: Alternate Nostril Breathing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07378839

OBGYN-2025-34216

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a prospective, two-arm, non-blinded randomized controlled study designed to evaluate the effects of a one-week alternate nostril breathing (ANB) intervention on nausea and vomiting severity in pregnant individuals during their first trimester.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant individuals aged 18 years or older
• Viable pregnancy with a gestational age between 6 0/7 - 12 6/7 weeks of gestation, confirmed by last menstrual period or ultrasound
• Diagnosed with mild to moderate NVP (PUQE-24 score between 4-12)
• Ability to understand and read English

Exclusion criteria

• Severe nausea and vomiting, defined as a PUQE score >12, or diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum requiring hospitalization or intravenous fluid therapy
• Pre-existing, active or acute respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD)
• History of severe anxiety disorders affecting breathing patterns
• Known deviated nasal septum
• Nausea and vomiting that pre-dates the pregnancy or is suspected to be due to a etiology other than pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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100 participants in 2 patient groups

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in the intervention group will receive a brief orientation via a research team member at the time of randomization on alternate nostril breathing (ANB) and then be provided with a written and video-based instructional guide. They will be instructed to perform ANB 3 times per day for 5-10 minutes per session over a 7-day period and document their sessions in a daily symptom diary. The 7-day period will begin the following day after enrollment to allow for a full day of intervention implementation (Day 1-7).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Alternate Nostril Breathing

Usual Care Only

No Intervention group

Description:

This group will receive usual care and complete a daily symptom diary for Day 1-7.