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NCT Number: NCT07459153

Multiple Breathing Training on Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Older Adults

This study were to investigate the effects of multiple breathing training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, chest expansion, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), aerobic capacity, and dyspnea symptoms in older adults.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Older Adults (60 - 85 Years Old)

Age range

60 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Sports Science, Chulalongkorn University

Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

About this study

The study included 26 male and female older adults aged 60-75 years, who were divided into a control group (n = 13) that maintained usual daily activities and an experimental group (n = 13) that received multiple breathing training.

The independent variable was multiple breathing training. Dependent variables included lung function (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, MVV), respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), chest expansion, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), aerobic capacity, and dyspnea assessment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Older adults aged 60-75 years, both male and female.
  • Not regularly physically active (exercising fewer than 2 times per week) during the 6 months prior to the study.
  • Cooperative, without communication problems, and able to follow instructions from the trainer.
  • No history of cardiovascular disease and no respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.
  • No hypertension, or if diagnosed with hypertension, it must be well controlled, with resting blood pressure not exceeding 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic.
  • Able to ambulate independently without assistance or assistive devices.
  • Willing to participate in the study and able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Any unforeseen events preventing continued participation in the study, such as injury from an accident or illness.
  • Attendance of less than 80% of the training sessions (fewer than 19 out of 24 sessions, including the basic training period).
  • Withdrawal of consent or unwillingness to continue participation in the study.

Treatment and study plan

Multiple breathing training

Other

The multiple breathing training program consisted of five structured breathing exercises designed to improve inspiratory muscle strength, expiratory muscle strength, and breath control. Each exercise was performed for three sets, and the total training duration was approximately 40 minutes per session.

The program included the following components:

Inspiratory Muscle Training (PowerBreathe device): Participants performed resisted inhalation to strengthen the inspiratory muscles (10 repetitions per set).

Expiratory Muscle Training (Balloon with control device): Participants exhaled into a balloon while maintaining pressure according to their measured maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (10 repetitions per set).

Inspiratory Training (Tri-Flow device): Participants inhaled through the device to elevate and maintain the floating balls, promoting sustained inspiratory effort (10 repetitions per set).

Expiratory Training (Windmill device): Participants exhaled to rotate the windmill, e

Primary outcomes

  1. Forced Vital Capacity; FVC

    Time frame: Change from Baseline FVC at 8 weeks.

    Participants were seated in a chair and wore a nasal clip during the assessment. They first performed three cycles of slow, normal breathing, followed by a demonstration of forced inspiration and expiration, and then returned to normal breathing.

  2. Forced Expiratory Volume in One second; FEV1

    Time frame: Change from Baseline FEV1 at 8 weeks.

    Participants were seated in a chair and wore a nasal clip during the assessment. They first performed three cycles of slow, normal breathing, followed by a demonstration of forced inspiration and expiration, and then returned to normal breathing.

  3. Maximum Voluntary Ventilation; MVV

    Time frame: Change from Baseline MVV at 8 weeks.

    Participants were instructed to breathe in and out as quickly and forcefully as possible for 15 seconds.

  4. Maximal Inspiratory Pressure; MIP

    Time frame: Change from Baseline MIP at 8 weeks.

    Participants were instructed to exhale fully to functional residual capacity (FRC), then place the mouthpiece securely and perform a maximal inspiratory effort sustained for 1-2 seconds.

  5. Maximal expiratory pressure; MEP

    Time frame: Change from Baseline MEP at 8 weeks.

    Participants inhaled fully to total lung capacity (TLC), maintained a tight seal on the mouthpiece, and then performed a maximal expiratory effort for 1-2 seconds.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Chest expansion

    Time frame: Change from Baseline Chest expansion at 8 weeks.

    Participants were instructed to sit upright with their hands placed on their hips. They were then asked to perform a maximal exhalation followed by a maximal inhalation. The researcher measured chest expansion using a measuring tape at the following anatomical levels: upper chest: at the axillary line, midway between the 2nd and 4th ribs, middle chest: at the level of the xiphoid process, midway between the 4th and 6th ribs, and lower chest: at the level of the 10th rib.

  2. Fraction exhaled nitric oxide; FeNO

    Time frame: Change from Baseline FeNO at 8 weeks.

    FeNO Monitor (BedFont, UK) was used to measure the FeNO. The participants inhaled deeply for 2 to 3 seconds before exhaling slowly, which normally took 10 seconds.

  3. Six minutes walk test (6MWT)

    Time frame: Change from Baseline 6MWT at 8 weeks.

    They were instructed to walk back and forth along a 30-meter walkway for six minutes at their usual, comfortable pace. The researcher marked the course every 3 meters and placed traffic cones at the turning points. Heart rate was monitored during the test, and the level of perceived exertion was assessed every minute. The total distance walked in six minutes was recorded for analysis.

  4. The University of California, SanDiego Shorthess of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ)

    Time frame: Change from Baseline SOBQ at 8 weeks.

    Participants completed a six-item dyspnea questionnaire before and after the intervention. Each item was rated on a 0-5 scale, with a maximum total score of 30 points. Scores were interpreted as follows: 0-10 indicated no to mild breathlessness, 11-20 indicated mild to moderate breathlessness, and 21-30 indicated moderate to severe breathlessness.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chulalongkorn University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Multiple Breathing Training on Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Older Adults

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 9, 2026

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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