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NCT Number: NCT05756686

Influence of Yogic Breathwork on Sleep

The purpose of this research study is to determine the influence of a regular yogic breathing practice on sleep, and to find out primarily if a regular practice of 8-week yogic breathing would enhance sleep quality as well as if it would improve participant's quality of life, and reduce existing stress. Study participants will be randomized into two arms for different breathing practices.

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Key information

Conditions

Sleep Hypoventilation Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Respiration Disorders Respiratory Insufficiency Respiratory Tract Diseases Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States

About this study

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of two remotely-delivered 8-week breathing interventions on long term sleep patterns.

The study protocol consists of healthy participants (randomized in two breathing groups) undergoing a remotely delivered 8-week intervention and a 12-week sleep tracking period (including 2 week before the intervention, 8 week during the intervention, and 2 week after the intervention). Several sleep metrics will be extracted to characterize long-term sleep patterns and degree of sleep improvement. Participants will also be asked to complete pre- and post-intervention questionnaires.

The two remotely delivered interventions will be guided by two separate certified experienced yoga teachers. Both interventions will include 60-minute weekly group virtual sessions (1day/week) with a 20-minute daily home sessions (in between weekly sessions; 6 days/week) using home-aid practice materials.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-65 years of age
  • able to provide their consent to be in the study
  • available and able to participate in study activities
  • who can lie in supine
  • who have little to no prior/current regular practice of breath awareness and training
  • compatible devices for physiological data trackers

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • history of neurological disorders, craniospinal disorders, spinal injury
  • diagnosed/treated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea with the use of CPAP
  • allergic or respiratory disorders
  • major or uncontrolled psychiatric illness or trauma or major depression
  • lung and heart problems
  • any condition requiring the use of medication that acts on the brain like stimulants/sedatives
  • current substance abuse issues
  • pregnancy or nursing

Treatment and study plan

Breathing Group 1

Behavioral

The 8-week breathwork intervention incorporates a set of breathing practices under the guidance of a certified yoga teacher.

Breathing Group 2

Behavioral

The 8-week breathwork intervention incorporates a set of slow breathing practices under the guidance of a certified yoga teacher.

Primary outcomes

  1. Sleep efficiency (SE)

    Time frame: 12 weeks (8-week interventions and 2 weeks pre- and post-intervention period).

    SE is a measure ranging from 0 to 100% indicating the percentage time spent asleep relative to total time in bed. SE will be extracted during a 12-week period to then compute changes in SE.

  2. Wake after sleep onset (WASO)

    Time frame: 12 weeks (8-week interventions and 2 weeks pre- and post-intervention period).

    WASO is the percentage of time spent awake during the remainder of the sleep period, after the first sleep onset. WASO will be extracted during a 12-week period to then compute changes in WASO.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total sleep time (TST)

    Time frame: 12 weeks (8-week interventions and 2 weeks pre- and post-intervention period).

    TST is the total time spent asleep. TST will be extracted during a 12-week period to then compute changes in TST.

  2. Sleep latency (SL)

    Time frame: 12 weeks (8-week interventions and 2 weeks pre- and post-intervention period).

    SL is defined by the number of minutes spent awake in bed, prior to first sleep onset. SL will be extracted during a 12-week period to then compute changes in SL.

  3. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

    Time frame: During 2 weeks pre-intervention and 2 weeks post-intervention period

    PSQI is a self-reported questionnaire that is used to assess sleep quality. PSQI scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating worse outcome.

  4. 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36)

    Time frame: During 2 weeks pre-intervention and 2 weeks post-intervention period

    SF-36 is a self-reported questionnaire that is used to assess overall health. SF-36 scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status.

  5. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

    Time frame: During 2 weeks pre-intervention and 2 weeks post-intervention period

    PSS is a self-reported questionnaire that is used to measure the perception of stress. PSS scores range from 10 to 40, with higher scores indicating worse outcome.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Oregon Health and Science University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Registry information

Official study title

Quantifying the Influence of Yogic Breathwork on Sleep

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Mar 6, 2023
Registry last updated
Mar 21, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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