Effects of Breathing Exercises on Cognition in Older Adults
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Balance Training Program, Inspiratory Muscle Training, Breathing Exercise Program.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Older Adults (65 Years and Older), Cognition, Balance Control in Elderly, Fall Prevention in Healthy Aging. Basic parameters: from 65 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Comparing Different Breathing Exercises Added to Balance Training on Cognitive and Functional Outcomes in Elderly Population
Overview
The goal of this interventional clinical trial is to investigate the effects of breathing exercises added to balance training on cognitive function in individuals aged 65 years and older. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do breathing exercises affect cognition? Do different breathing exercises affect cognition in different ways? Researchers will administer two different breathing protocols and evaluate cognition before and after each protocol. Participants will take part in an 8-week program consisting of sessions that include 30 minutes of balance-based exercises and 15 minutes of breathing exercises. Sessions will be held twice weekly under the supervision of a physical therapist.
Interventions
- Other Balance Training Program
A structured balance-based exercise program (30 minutes per session) designed to reduce fall risk and improve functional performance. - Other Inspiratory Muscle Training
Training performed using a threshold device to strengthen inspiratory muscles for 15 minutes with intensity set individually and progressively adjusted. - Other Breathing Exercise Program
Breathing exercises aimed at improving lung function and respiratory health, including diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing. Exercises will be performed for 15 minutes
Primary outcome measures
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) [Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 8 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Spirometry Parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC Ratio) [Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 8 weeks]
- Maximal Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures (MIP/MEP) [Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 8 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 65 years and older
- Able to walk independently
- Suitable for light to moderate physical activity
- Willing and able to attend 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks
Exclusion criteria
- Underwent surgery within the last 6 months
- Currently participating in another structured rehabilitation program
- Neurological disorders that significantly restrict mobility (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke)
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Müzeyyen Keçeli Aile Sağlığı Merkezi — Istanbul
Publications
- Johannknecht M, Kayser C. The influence of the respiratory cycle on reaction times in sensory-cognitive paradigms. Sci Rep. 2022 Feb 16;12(1):2586. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-06364-8. PMID 35173204
- Vanutelli ME, Grigis C, Lucchiari C. Breathing Right... or Left! The Effects of Unilateral Nostril Breathing on Psychological and Cognitive Wellbeing: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci. 2024 Mar 23;14(4):302. doi: 10.3390/brainsci14040302. PMID 38671954
- Song F, Ding K, Sun W, Huang Q, Jiang R, Xiang H, Sun M. Effects of 12 weeks of Head-Down Strong Abdominal Breathing Training on Gait and Cognitive Function in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2025 May 1;20:1347-1359. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S514766. eCollection 2025. PMID 40330797
- Zelano C, Jiang H, Zhou G, Arora N, Schuele S, Rosenow J, Gottfried JA. Nasal Respiration Entrains Human Limbic Oscillations and Modulates Cognitive Function. J Neurosci. 2016 Dec 7;36(49):12448-12467. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2586-16.2016. PMID 27927961
- Braendholt M, Kluger DS, Varga S, Heck DH, Gross J, Allen MG. Breathing in waves: Understanding respiratory-brain coupling as a gradient of predictive oscillations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Sep;152:105262. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105262. Epub 2023 Jun 3. PMID 37271298
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07505914 · 2025/712