The Effect of Breathing on Cognitive Performance and Stress

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

66 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-08-01

Study Completion Date

2025-05-01

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of different breathing techniques on biomarkers of stress and cognitive performance following the Trier Social Stress Test.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Stress Management Program

NCT06526585

Stress Anxiety

RECRUITING NA

Relaxation Effects of Personalized Breathing Exercises for Healthy College Students

NCT06121596

Breathing Exercises

COMPLETED NA

Stress Management in College Students

NCT05392621

Stress

COMPLETED NA

A Study Of Resilience And Mental Well-Being Through Breathing Practice For Clinical Care Professionals

NCT07218458

Burnout, Healthcare Workers Breathing Exercises

RECRUITING NA

Strategies for Responding to Stress

NCT03289156

Stress

COMPLETED NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

This study examined the effect of three various breathing techniques (i.e., normal breathing, prolonged exhalation, and box breathing) on biomarkers of stress and mental performance after the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The TSST has been shown to result in significant increases in psychological and physiological stress markers. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine potential interventions to mitigate the effects of this psychological stressor while maintaining increased cognitive performance. Moreover, previous literature has shown various effects of breathing interventions, therefore, the investigators wished to further validate breathing techniques as an effective tool to mitigate stress and increase cognitive performance. The data from this research provided insight to real life events, allowing for a principal understanding of how to reduce stress, focused at first responder populations.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Stress Acute Stress Reaction Breathing Techniques Cognitive Performance

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups, between and within subject analysis occurred.

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Box Breathing group

Group to be assigned box breathing.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Box Breathing

Intervention Type OTHER

Box breathing consisted of a 4 second inhale, 4 second hold, 4 second exhale, 4 second hold; for 4 minutes.

Prolonged Exhalation Breathing assignment group

Breathing group to be assigned the prolonged exhalation intervention.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Prolonged Exhalation

Intervention Type OTHER

Prolonged Exhalation consisted of a deep, 3 second inhale, followed by a slow 6 second exhale through pursed lips, once every 30 seconds for 4 minutes.

Placebo (normal breathing) group

This group is not assigned a breathing technique, and acts as a placebo.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Normal Breathing

Intervention Type OTHER

This was the placebo, normal breathing group was instructed to breath as they normally would for the entirety of the 4 minute period.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Box Breathing

Box breathing consisted of a 4 second inhale, 4 second hold, 4 second exhale, 4 second hold; for 4 minutes.

Intervention Type OTHER

Prolonged Exhalation

Prolonged Exhalation consisted of a deep, 3 second inhale, followed by a slow 6 second exhale through pursed lips, once every 30 seconds for 4 minutes.

Intervention Type OTHER

Normal Breathing

This was the placebo, normal breathing group was instructed to breath as they normally would for the entirety of the 4 minute period.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Generally healthy
* Between the ages of 18-39,
* Student at Texas State.

Exclusion Criteria

* Any known cardiovascular or metabolic disease
* Consuming any medication for psychiatric disorders (i.e., anxiety, depression, ADHD)
* Being diagnosed with any psychiatric or physical conditions
* Any major stressors in the last 30 days (i.e., birth of a child, abortion, divorce).

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

39 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes