Effect of Breathing Training on Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (NCT07179250) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effect of Breathing Training on Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
51 participantsStarted 2025-09
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether two types of breathing training can improve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults.
The main research questions are:
* Do volume-oriented incentive spirometry (VIS) or diaphragmatic breathing exercise (DBE) improve GERD symptoms compared with usual care?
* Do these breathing exercises reduce the symptoms of GERD?
* Does volume-oriented incentive spirometry (VIS) produce greater improvement in GERD symptoms compared with DBE?
* Do these exercises increase the strength of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)?
Researchers will compare VIS training, DBE training, and usual care to determine whether breathing training can serve as a safe and effective non-pharmacological treatment option for GERD.
Participants will:
* Be randomly assigned to VIS training, DBE training, or usual care
* Perform their assigned breathing training (if in the intervention group) twice daily for 6 weeks
* Attend study visits at baseline and at week 7 for questionnaires and esophageal function tests
* Keep a diary of their symptoms and breathing practice
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 20 to 80 years
* Endoscopic finding of reflux esophagitis (LA grade A) with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use \> 2 months, or 24-hour pH monitoring showing acid exposure time (AET) \> 6%, or endoscopic diagnosis of reflux esophagitis LA grade B or higher
* Willingness to comply with the full training and follow-up protocol
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women
* History of anti-reflux surgery
* Severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction or respiratory disease
* Inability to perform the training exercises or attend follow-up visits
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure