Clinical Research Directory

Respiratory and Anxiety Status of Music Students

This study aims to determine the prevalence and patterns of dysfunctional breathing (DB) among music students and to investigate its relationship with music performance anxiety (MPA). Dysfunctional breathing, also known as a breathing pattern disorder, refers to maladaptive respiratory patterns not explained by medical conditions such as asthma and is associated with symptoms like hyperventilation, poor breathing control, and abnormal respiratory mechanics. Given that MPA is common among musicians and often accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, tremor, and shortness of breath, this study explores whether DB contributes to or is influenced by performance-related anxiety in this population.

OptiMuscle - Improving Respiration by Optimising Muscle Function

The primary aim will be to understand whether a digital breathing biofeedback system can improve the outcomes of physiotherapist guided breathing retraining.

Dysfunctional Breathing and Physical Fitness in Older Adults

The global aging trend will continue to challenge healthcare systems, making it increasingly important to preserve quality of life and independence among older adults. Physical fitness will remain a crucial factor for maintaining autonomy, yet aging will naturally lead to declines in respiratory function, muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. Dysfunctional breathing (DB), characterized by abnormal respiratory patterns without organic pathology, will become a growing public health concern in the elderly. Although symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety will likely limit physical activity, the specific effects of DB on physical fitness in older adults will not yet be well understood. This study will aim to investigate the effects of DB on physical fitness components in older individuals and determine whether these effects are independent of demographic variables such as age and body mass index (BMI). The study will compare physical fitness levels between older adults with and without DB and will evaluate the predictive value of DB for physical performance outcomes.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Dysfunctional Breathing and Physical Fitness Parameters in Healty Adults

This observational study aims to investigate the relationship between dysfunctional breathing and physical fitness parameters in healthy adults aged 18-35. Participants will be evaluated using the Nijmegen Questionnaire to assess dysfunctional breathing symptoms, and their physical fitness will be measured using the ALPHA-FIT Test Battery. Respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function will also be assessed. The findings may help healthcare professionals better understand dysfunctional breathing and develop targeted treatment programs.

Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort

The Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort (SPAC) is a national, prospective clinical cohort of children and adolescents who visit physicians in Switzerland for recurrent wheeze, cough, and exercise- or sleep-related respiratory problems. SPAC aims to answer important questions on clinical phenotypes, prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. SPAC is part of routine care, and only clinically indicated investigations are done. The comprehensive baseline assessment includes a detailed questionnaire to families, plus test results, diagnoses and treatments from hospital records. Follow-up is via monthly questionnaires the first 12 months and thereafter annual questionnaires to families, and data from follow-up visits. Currently, 4344 patients from 10 clinics and hospitals in Switzerland (Aarau, Basel, Bern, Chur, Horgen, Lausanne, Luzern, St. Gallen, Worb, Zurich) have been enrolled. SPAC provides real-life data on children visiting the Swiss health care system for common respiratory problems. It will provide a research platform for health services research, and for nested clinical and transitional studies. Publications and plain language summaries are listed on the study website: https://www.spac-study.ch/publikationen/

Dysfunctional Breathing in Post COVID-19 Condition.

The goal of this observational study with a cross-sectional design is to investigate what signs, symptoms and assessment which can describe and explain dysfunctional breathing in patients with post COVID-19 condition. The main question aims to answer which measurements can identify and asses dysfunctional breathing in patients with post COVID-19 condition? Participants for this study will be recruited from the ReCov cohort will be evaluated with diffrent measurments and questionnaires.

CPET Guided Rehab vs Physiotherapy in Patients With Dysfunctional Breathing

In this study the efficacy of a pulmonary rehabilitation program tailored to the needs of patients with dysfunctional breathing (DB) will be investigated using cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The pulmonary rehabilitation program will be compared with physiotherapy which is currently the mainstream therapy of DB.

Structured Light Plethysmography Against Standard of Care in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Dysfunctional Breathing

This is an observational, controlled, single-centre study to validate the Thora3Di™ against standard practice in patients who are undergoing investigation for disproportionate breathlessness. The core methodology involves capturing of data during a short period of measurement of breathing using SLP.