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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06986135

The Effect of Breathing on Cognitive Performance and Stress

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Acute Stress Reaction Breathing Techniques Cognitive Performance Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–39 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Texas State University, Metabolic & Applied Physiology Lab

San Marcos, Texas, 78666, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

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).

Treatment and study plan

Box Breathing

Other

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

Prolonged Exhalation

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.

Normal Breathing

Other

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

Primary outcomes

  1. Cognitive Challenge

    Time frame: 20 minutes prior to TSST start and immediately post TSST.

    Subjects participated in a 1 minute familiarization for the Stroop Color Word Challenge, followed by a full 2 minute Stroop Color Word challenge. Immediately following the Stroop, subjects then participated in a 2 minute mental arithmetic. The Stroop consisted of conflicting color-word fonts, and the subject had to choose the correct font color: subjects had .5 seconds to respond to each answer utilizing a color coordinated keypad. The mental arithmetic consisted of a series of mathematical problems (i.e., one, two, or three digit addition and subtraction). If subjects got an answer wrong for the mental math, a buzzer would sound.

  2. Heart Rate

    Time frame: HR was recorded 4 times, during each saliva sample collection period

    Heart rate was recorded immediately prior to each saliva sample using the same tools to record the HRV measure. The Polar H10 and HRVTrace app was utilized to record a Heart rate measure 4 times throughout the study.

  3. State Anxiety Inventory (SAI)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1-4, 40 minutes pre, 10 minutes pre, immediately post, 25 minutes post.

    The SAI is a 6 question survey on a 24 point scale, asking the subject to record how they feel. Questions asked were "I am calm", "I am tense", "I am worried", "I am relaxed", etc. Subjects were asked to fill this out 4 times throughout the study, alongside the HR and saliva samples.

  4. Heart rate variability

    Time frame: HRV was recorded immediately following the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th saliva samples.

    Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was measured three times over the course of the study in order to measure responses to stress. A Polar H10 monitor was used, alongside the HRVTrace app to record the three measures. Each HRV measurement was 7 minutes, and required the subjects to sit quietly and watch a standardized nature video.

  5. Secretory Immunoglobin-A

    Time frame: 40 minutes prior to modified TSST start, 10 minutes prior to modified TSST start, immediately post modified TSST, and 25 minutes post TSST

    SIgA is a marker of immune function and salivary SIgA concentrations tend to increase when exposed to stress

  6. Salivary Alpha Amylase

    Time frame: 40 minutes prior to modified TSST start, 10 minutes prior to modified TSST start, immediately post modified TSST, and 25 minutes post TSST

    salivary alpha amylase is an enzyme involved in digestive processes. Amylase concentration in saliva have been shown to reflect sympathetic stress. Thus, as sympathetic stress increases, salivary amylase concentrations tend to increase.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Texas State University

Other

Collaborators

  • Texas State University, San Marcos

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Breathing Interventions on Biomarkers of Stress and Cognitive Performance Following a Psychologically Stressful Task

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 22, 2025
Registry last updated
May 22, 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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