Breathwork for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

March 19, 2025 updated by: Adam Hanley, Florida State University

Breathwork Intervention for Individuals With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

This project is a single-site, single-arm, clinical feasibility trial examining the impact of a single-session, 2-hour connected consciousness breathing with breath retention (CCBR) training for chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

CCBR is a breathwork style that involves breathing with no pause between inhalation and exhalation (also known as circular breathing). This breathing pattern is maintained for a given period of time, ranging from 5 minutes to over 2 hours. In the proposed project, the CCBR training will begin with a 15-minute introduction to CCBR, followed by an hour and 15 minutes of therapist-guided CCBR practice. The final 30 minutes will be used to discuss participant experiences during the CCBR practice. CCBR training sessions will occur in-person and in a small group format (5 participants each).

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
10

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Florida
      • Tallahassee, Florida, United States, 32310
        • Brian Science and Symptom Management Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • having received a professional diagnosis of clinical levels of chronic pain
  • being able to not commit to another (new) treatment during the course of the study
  • understanding English instructions fluently
  • Being 18 and above

Exclusion Criteria:

  • having learned to practice breathwork any time in the past
  • being unable to perform most basic tasks due to pain or pain treatment.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Guided Respiration Mindfulness Therapy
Behavioral: Guided Resipiration Mindfulness Therapy (GRMT)
GRMT provides training in respiratory regulation, mindfulness and relaxation. The GRMT training will begin with a 15-minute introduction to the treatment model, followed by an hour of therapist-guided respiration (i.e., continuous rhythmic expansion of the chest, and relaxed exhalation involving release of all respiratory and peripheral musculature). The final 45 minutes will be used to discuss participant experiences during the GRMT training. GRMT training sessions will occur in-person and in a small group format (<5 participants each).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Intervention Adherence
Time Frame: 2 Hours
Examine the percentage of participants completing their 2-hour intervention session.
2 Hours
Number of Participants with Chronic Pain Recruited
Time Frame: 1 week
Examine recruitment rates during the 1 week of recruitment.
1 week
Treatment Acceptability
Time Frame: Completed immediately after the 2-hour GRMT training
Treatment acceptability will be assessed with a 12-item adaptation of the Treatment Framework of Acceptability questionnaire. Scores range from 5 to 45. Higher scores reflect greater acceptability.
Completed immediately after the 2-hour GRMT training

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Global Impression of Change
Time Frame: Completed at 2- and 6-week follow-ups
Treatment related improvement will be assessed with the Patient Global Impression of Change scale. Scores range from 0 to 7, with higher scores reflecting greater treatment related improvement.
Completed at 2- and 6-week follow-ups

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Daily Pain Intensity
Time Frame: Daily for 6 weeks
Change in daily pain intensity from from the first post-intervention day through the 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the pain intensity item from the Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores reflecting greater pain intensity.
Daily for 6 weeks
Daily Pain Interference
Time Frame: Daily for 6 weeks
Change in daily pain interference from from the first post-intervention day through the 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the two pain interference items from the Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores reflecting greater pain interference.
Daily for 6 weeks
Chronic Pain
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Change in chronic pain from baseline through 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores reflecting greater chronic pain.
Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Sleep
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Change in sleep from baseline through 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Short Form. Scores range from 6 to 30, with higher scores reflecting worse sleep.
Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Pain Catastrophizing
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Change in pain catastrophizing from baseline through 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Scores range from 0 to 52, with higher scores reflecting greater pain catastrophizing.
Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Depression
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Change in depression from baseline through 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Scores range from 0 to 6, with higher scores reflecting greater depression.
Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Anxiety
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Change in anxiety from baseline through 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item. Scores range from 0 to 6, with higher scores reflecting greater anxiety.
Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Prescription Pain Medication Use
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Change in prescription pain medication misuse from baseline through 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the PROMIS Prescription Pain Medication Misuse Short Form. Scores range from 7 to 35, with higher scores reflecting greater medication misuse.
Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Mindful Pain Management
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Change in the use of mindfulness for pain management from baseline through 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the Mindful Reappraisal of Pain Scale. Scores range from 0 to 54, with higher scores reflecting greater mindful pain management.
Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Acute Pain Unpleasantness
Time Frame: Will be completed immediately before and after the 2-hour intervention session
Change in acute pain unpleasantness will be measured with an individual item ("How unpleasant is your pain, right now?") rated on a numeric rating scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores reflecting greater acute pain unpleasantness.
Will be completed immediately before and after the 2-hour intervention session
Acute Pain Intensity
Time Frame: Will be completed immediately before and after the 2-hour intervention session
Change in acute pain intensity will be measured with an individual item ("How much pain do you have, right now?") rated on a numeric rating scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores reflecting greater acute pain intensity.
Will be completed immediately before and after the 2-hour intervention session
Self-Transcendent Experiences
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment
Change in the the frequency of self-transcendent experiences from baseline through 6-week follow-up will be assessed with the Nondual Awareness Dimensional Assessment. Scores range from 0 to 5, with higher scores reflecting more frequent self-transcendent experiences.
Baseline, 2 weeks post-treatment, 6 week post-treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Florida State University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
May 29, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 11, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 27, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 7, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 7, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 12, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 19, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 00005048

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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