Yoga Breath Training to Improve Cardiorespiratory Synchrony in Spinal Cord Injury

Mass General Brigham

Status

Not yet enrolling

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Treatments

Behavioral: Ujjayi Yogic Breathing

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT06514950

2024P001385

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

This study investigates the impact of a type of slow-resistive yogic breathing, Ujjayi Pranayama, on cardiopulmonary function in 20 men and women aged 18-60 with spinal cord injuries classified under the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) score of A, B, or C. Participants will undergo baseline and post-intervention laboratory assessments over six weeks at Spaulding Hospital Cambridge, with cardiovascular and respiratory measurements taken during controlled and uncontrolled breathing conditions. Ujjayi Pranayama training, focusing on resistance breathing during exhalation and inhalation, will include coaching sessions in weeks 1 and 4, supplemented by virtual support for home practice (~20 min, twice daily). The study aims to determine whether regular yogic breathing practice enhances sleep quality, hypercapnic ventilatory response, and overall cardiopulmonary synchrony, potentially reducing respiratory and cardiovascular risks associated with SCI.

Enrollment

20 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 60 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

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