The Role of Environmental Temperatures in Respiratory Control (NCT07470086)
Optimizing Mind-Body Interactions in Respiratory Control During Operationally Relevant Environmental Stressors
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Warfighters are frequently exposed to environments and life-support systems that increase breathing resistance and the work of breathing (WOB), such as aircraft on-board oxygen generation systems and underwater breathing apparatuses. Elevated WOB increases the perception of breathing difficulty (dyspnea) and has been associated with impaired cognitive performance, including slower reaction time and reduced accuracy during attention-demanding tasks. These effects are particularly concerning in operational settings that require rapid decision-making and precise motor responses. Despite growing recognition of this issue, critical gaps remain regarding strategies to mitigate the perceptual and cognitive consequences of elevated inspiratory resistance, especially under realistic operational stressors. The objective of this study is to determine whether exposing individuals to thermal stress alters breathing perception and cognitive performance during inspiratory resistance. Participants will perform inspiratory resistance breathing under thermoneutral, heat, and cold conditions to determine whether thermal stress amplifies WOB, breathing perception, and cognitive impairment.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: Multidisciplinary Engineering and Sciences Hall (MESH) — Bloomington, Indiana
Age range: 18 Years to 40 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
- Thermoneutral temperature environment (OTHER)
- Cold temperature environment (OTHER)
- Hot temperature environment (OTHER)
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Multidisciplinary Engineering and Sciences Hall (MESH) — Bloomington, Indiana
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (812) 855-0753
Email: tmickleb@iu.edu
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Work of Breathing
- The Role of Breathing Perception in Respiratory Control — Bloomington, Indiana
- The Role of Heliox in Respiratory Control — Bloomington, Indiana
Explore by condition: All Work of Breathing clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.