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NCT03858309: CSF

Influence of Yogic Breathwork on CSF Circulation

Completed NA Results posted Last updated 29 October 2025
What this trial tests

NA trial testing Breathing Group 1 in CSF Circulation in 26 participants. Completed in 30 July 2020.

Timeline
10 July 2019
Primary endpoint
25 November 2019
30 July 2020

Quick facts

Lead sponsorOregon Health and Science University
PhaseNA
StatusCompleted
Study typeINTERVENTIONAL
Allocationrandomized
Designparallel
Maskingsingle
Primary purposebasic science
Enrollment26
Start date10 July 2019
Primary completion25 November 2019
Estimated completion30 July 2020
Sites1 location across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

Conditions studied

Sponsor

Oregon Health and Science University

Who can join

Adults 18 to 65, any sex, with CSF Circulation. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Results — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Per-arm endpoint measurements with 95% confidence intervals where reported. Source: trial results section.

CSF Flow Velocities Primary · Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (after 8 weeks).

We have collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow measurements during a set of breathing practices while subjects were inside the MRI scanner. MRI-based CSF flow was quantified at the level of Foramen Magnum. Data processing included the extraction of velocity waveforms of the CSF motion ( i.e, CSF velocity in cm/s) and subsequent analysis of CSF velocities across different breathing conditions. Positive CSF velocities indicate fluid motion in the cranial (upward) direction, whereas negative velocities represent fluid motion in the caudal (downward) direction. For the registry, descriptive sta

Pre-intervention maximum (cranially directed) CSF velocity during natural breathing
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 11.36± 0.27
Breathing Group 21.31± 0.23
Post-intervention maximum (cranially directed) CSF velocity during natural breathing
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 11.48± 0.42
Breathing Group 21.15± 0.25
Pre-intervention minimum (caudally directed) CSF velocity during natural breathing
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 1-1.92± 0.51
Breathing Group 2-1.73± 0.41
Post-intervention minimum (caudally directed) CSF velocity during natural breathing
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 1-1.68± 0.47
Breathing Group 2-1.84± 0.45
Pre-intervention maximum (cranially directed) CSF velocity during slow breathing
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 11.76± 0.62
Breathing Group 21.48± 0.37
Post-intervention maximum (cranially directed) CSF velocity during slow breathing
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 11.56± 0.45
Breathing Group 21.35± 0.43
Pre-intervention minimum (caudally directed) CSF velocity during slow breathing
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 1-2.15± 0.63
Breathing Group 2-1.68± 0.48
Post-intervention minimum (caudally directed) CSF velocity during slow breathing
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 1-1.80± 0.37
Breathing Group 2-1.94± 0.66
Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Secondary · Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (after 8 weeks).

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured participants seated at rest at pre- and post-intervention visits.

Pre-intervention systolic blood pressure
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 1128.11± 16.07
Breathing Group 2117.71± 7.99
Post-intervention systolic blood pressure
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 1125.62± 4.55
Breathing Group 2118.29± 7.99
Pre-intervention diastolic blood pressure
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 180.22± 4.08
Breathing Group 266.29± 4.15
Post-intervention diastolic blood pressure
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 176.00± 3.46
Breathing Group 263.43± 4.15
Body Mass Index (BMI) Secondary · Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (after 8 weeks).

BMI was collected at pre- and post-intervention visits, and was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²).

Pre-Intervention BMI
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 125.33± 1.66
Breathing Group 224.33± 1.56
Post-Intervention BMI
GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 125.16± 1.57
Breathing Group 224.46± 1.56
Daily Home Practice Frequency Secondary · 8 weeks (daily home practice over the course of 8-week intervention).

Average breathing practice frequency were measured using a wearable respiration tracker to objectively evaluate home practice throughout the intervention: frequency (days/week). Preliminary analysis estimated mean frequency (days/week) across participants. Onsite class sessions were excluded.

GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 15.00± 0.82
Breathing Group 25.43± 0.80
Daily Home Practice Duration Secondary · 8 weeks (daily home practice over the course of 8-week intervention).

Average breathing practice duration were measured using a wearable respiration tracker to objectively evaluate home practice throughout the intervention: duration (in minute). Preliminary analysis estimated mean duration (minutes) across participants. Onsite class sessions were excluded.

GroupValue95% CI
Breathing Group 121.80± 2.27
Breathing Group 220.22± 0.54

Sponsor's own description

The purpose of this research study is to determine the influence of yoga breathing practices on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation, and to find out primarily if a regular practice of 8-week yoga breathing would enhance CSF circulation as well as if the intervention would improve participant's quality of life, quality of sleep, and reduce existing stress. Participants will be randomized into two arms for different breathing practices.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

  1. Immediate impact of yogic breathing on pulsatile cerebrospinal fluid dynamics.
    Yildiz S, Grinstead J, Hildebrand A, Oshinski J, et al · · 2022 · cited 31× · PMID 35764793 · DOI 10.1038/s41598-022-15034-8

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Other trials of Breathing Group 1

Trials testing the same drug.

Other Oregon Health and Science University trials

Trials by the same sponsor.

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Data sources for this page

Drug Landscape aggregates and links these public records for informational use only. Always verify against the primary source before clinical or regulatory decisions. Canonical URL: https://druglandscape.com/trial/NCT03858309.

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing