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Autoimmune DiseasesINADRINCT02417155

Increasing Plasma Adrenaline Levels Through Breathing Techniques - an Explorative Study

A study testing Hyper/hypoventilation and Strength ventilation in people with Autoimmune Diseases, run by Radboud University Medical Center at 1 site in Netherlands.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Inflammatory cytokines play a pivotal role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and innovative non-pharmacological therapies aimed at limiting cytokine production are highly warranted. Adrenaline, a neurotransmitter of the autonomic sympathetic nervous system, attenuates cytokine production. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 35 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Autoimmune Diseases
What is being tested?
Hyper/hypoventilation and Strength ventilation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteNetherlands
Study dates
Nov 2014to Oct 2015
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 35 years
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age ≥18 and ≤35 yrs
  • Male
  • Healthy

Who cannot join

  • Experience with the methods of Wim Hof or other breathing techniques
  • Use of any medication
  • Smoking
  • Use of recreational drugs within 21 days prior to the experiment day
  • Use of caffeine or alcohol within 1 day prior to the experimental day.
  • Surgery or trauma with significant blood loss or blood donation within 3 months prior to the experimental day.
Show all 14Show fewer
  • Participation in another clinical trial within 3 months prior to the experimental day.
  • History, signs, or symptoms of cardiovascular disease
  • History of atrial or ventricular arrhythmia
  • Hypertension (RR systolic >160 or RR diastolic >90)
  • Hypotension (RR systolic <100 or RR diastolic <50)
  • Conduction abnormalities on the ECG consisting of a 1st degree atrioventricular block or a complex bundle branch block
  • History of asthma, or any other pulmonary disease
  • C reactive protein (CRP) > 20 mg/L, White blood count (WBC) > 12x109/L, or clinically significant acute illness, including infections, within 4 weeks before the experimental day.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Netherlands1 site
  • Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre

    Nijmegen, Gelderland, 6500 HB

Other trials in Netherlands

About this study

Inflammatory cytokines play a pivotal role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and innovative non-pharmacological therapies aimed at limiting cytokine production are highly warranted. Adrenaline, a neurotransmitter of the autonomic sympathetic nervous system, attenuates cytokine production. Along these lines, endogenous modulation of sympathetic activity could limit inflammation and therefore represent a treatment modality that would empower RA patients to exert self-control over disease activity. However, both the autonomic nervous system and the inflammatory response are regarded as systems that cannot be voluntarily influenced. Nevertheless, results from two recent studies demonstrate that this is possible through techniques developed by 'iceman' Wim Hof, namely meditation, exposure to cold, and breathing exercises. Hof himself and healthy volunteers trained by him were able to voluntarily activate the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in adrenaline release and subsequent suppression of the inflammatory response during experimental human endotoxemia (a model of systemic inflammation elicited by administration of lipopolysaccharide [LPS] in healthy volunteers). Interestingly, while having been taught all three techniques, during the endotoxemia experiment the trained subjects (like Hof himself) predominantly practiced the breathing exercises consisting of two different techniques. A 'hyper/hypoventilation' technique, characterized by cycles of hyperventilation followed by breath retention and a 'strength ventilation' technique consisting of deep inhalations and exhalations followed by breath holding. These techniques resulted in intermittent hypoxia and cyclic shifts in acid-base balance. Based on these observations and previous studies, the investigators hypothesize that these breathing techniques account for the increased production of adrenaline and thus for the suppressed inflammatory response but it is unclear which of these two techniques is most important.

Read the detailed description

The main objective of the study is to compare the increase in plasma adrenaline levels during the two different breathing techniques in a group of healthy volunteers trained by Hof. Also, the investigators investigate whether it is necessary to be trained by Hof and if a relatively short instruction instead of the extensive training is sufficient. Additionally, the investigators want to evaluate the influence of the training and breathing techniques on pain thresholds.

Being tested
Hyper/hypoventilation, Strength ventilation
Keywords
Autonomic Nerve System, Epinephrin, Hyperventilation, Hypoventilation
Medical subject headings
Autoimmune Diseases, Hyperventilation, Hypoventilation

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Hyper/hypoventilationBehavioural

    Subjects are asked to hyperventilate for an average of 30 breaths. Subsequently, the subjects exhaled and hold their breath for approximately 2 minutes ("retention phase"). The duration of breath retention will be entirely at the discretion of the subject himself. Breath retention is followed by a deep inhalation breath, that will be held for 10 s. Subsequently a new cycle of hyper/hypoventilation begins.

  • Strength ventilationBehavioural

    This exercise consists of deep inhalations and exhalations in which every inhalation and exhalation is followed by breath holding for 10 s, during which the subject tightens all his body muscles.

Study groups in NCT02417155
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
HTRExperimentalThe 'Hoftraining' group (HTR): a group of subjects (n=10) that will be trained extensively by mr. Hof and his team in both hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation breathing techniques. Total time training is 8 days.
Receives: Behavioral: Hyper/hypoventilation; Behavioral: Strength ventilation
EINActive comparatorThe 'extensive instruction' group (EIN): a group of subjects (n=10) that will receive an extensive instruction course supervised by the research team (in absence of Mr. Hof) in both hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation breathing techniques.
Receives: Behavioral: Hyper/hypoventilation; Behavioral: Strength ventilation
STRActive comparatorThe 'short training' group (STR): a group of subjects (n=10) that will receive only a short training of 1 hour (immediately prior to the study) by Mr. Hof and his team in both hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation breathing techniques.
Receives: Behavioral: Hyper/hypoventilation; Behavioral: Strength ventilation
SINActive comparatorThe 'short instruction' group (SIN): a group of subjects (n=10) that will receive no training, but only an short instruction course of 1 hour (immediately prior to the study) supervised by the research team (in absence of Mr. Hof) in both hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation breathing techniques.
Receives: Behavioral: Hyper/hypoventilation; Behavioral: Strength ventilation

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Concentration of plasma adrenaline within arm 1

    Our primary endpoint is the difference between plasma adrenaline levels during the hyper/hypoventilation technique and the strength ventilation technique within the HTR group.

    Measured: 1 day

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. Concentration of plasma adrenaline within arms 2, 3, 4

    Blood will be collected into chilled lithium-heparin tubes and will immediately be placed on ice and centrifuged at 2.000 x g for 10 min at 4 degrees celsius after which plasma will be stored at -80 degrees celsius until analysis. Plasma adrenaline is measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorometric detection. The investigators will compare levels during the hyper/hypoventilation technique and plasma adrenaline levels during the strength ventilation technique within the EIN, STR and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  2. concentration of plasma adrenaline between arms 1, 2, 3, 4

    Blood will be collected into chilled lithium-heparin tubes and will immediately be placed on ice and centrifuged at 2.000 x g for 10 min at 4 degrees celsius after which plasma will be stored at -80 degrees celsius until analysis. Plasma adrenaline is measured using HPLCy with fluorometric detection. The investigators will compare differences in plasma adrenaline levels during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  3. Plasma interleukine 10 concentration

    EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) anticoagulated blood will centrifuged immediately at 2.000 x g for 10 min at 4 degrees calcium after which plasma will be stored at -80 degrees until analysis. Concentration of [cytokine] will be measured using a simultaneous Luminex assay according to the manufacturer's instructions (Milliplex; Millipore). The investigators will compare differences between hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation within HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups as well as differences during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  4. Body temperature

    Body temperature will be measured using an infrared tympanic thermometer (FirstTemp Genius 2; Sherwood Medical). The investigators will compare differences between hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation within HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups as well as differences during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  5. Heart rate, blood pressure

    Heart rate will be recorded with a three-lead electrocardiogram on a Philips MP50 patient monitor. The investigators will compare differences between hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation within HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups as well as differences during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  6. Blood pressure

    Blood pressure will be measured on a Philips MP50 patient monitor through a 20-gauge arterial catheter. The investigators will compare differences between hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation within HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups as well as differences during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  7. Leukocyte counts and differentiation

    Analysis of leukocyte counts and differentiation will be performed in EDTA anticoagulated blood using routine analysis methods also used for patient samples (flow cytometric analysis on a Sysmex XE-5000). The investigators will compare differences between hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation within HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups as well as differences during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  8. Cortisol (plasma)

    Blood will be collected in serum-separating tubes and allowed to clot at room temperature for a minimum of 30 min. Subsequently, samples are centrifuged at 2,000 × g for 10 min at 4 °C, after which serum is stored at -80 °C until analysis. Cortisol levels will be determined using a routine analysis method also used for patient samples (electrochemiluminescent immunoassay on a Modular Analytics E170 (Roche Diagnostics). The investigators will compare differences between hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation within HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups as well as differences during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  9. Noradrenaline

    Blood will be collected into chilled lithium-heparin tubes and will immediately be placed on ice and centrifuged at 2.000 x g for 10 min at 4 degrees celsius after which plasma will be stored at -80 degrees celsius until analysis. Plasma noradrenaline is measured using HPLCy with fluorometric detection. The investigators will compare differences between hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation within HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups as well as differences during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  10. Blood gas parameters

    Blood gas parameters are analyzed in lithium heparin anticoagulated arterial blood using CG4+ cartridges and a point-of-care i-STAT blood gas analyzer (Abbott). The investigators will compare differences between hyper/hypoventilation and strength ventilation within HTR, EIN, STR and SIN groups as well as differences during hyper/hypoventilation or strength ventilation between HTR, EIN, and SIN groups.

    Measured: 1 day

  11. Pain threshold

    Pain thresholds before start training/instruction, during each of the breathing techniques, and at the end of the experimental day, objectified with Quantitive Sensory Testing by a dedicated, trained member of the studyteam.

    Measured: 1 day

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Apr 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startNov 2014
  3. Primary completionJul 2015
  4. Study completionOct 2015

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02417155
Sponsor's protocol ID
INADRI
Acronym
INADRI
Status last verified
Nov 2015
First submitted
2 Dec 2014
Last updated
10 Nov 2015
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Kox M, van Eijk LT, Zwaag J, van den Wildenberg J, Sweep FC, van der Hoeven JG, Pickkers P. Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 May 20;111(20):7379-84. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1322174111. Epub 2014 May 5.

    PubMed 24799686
  • Kox M, Stoffels M, Smeekens SP, van Alfen N, Gomes M, Eijsvogels TM, Hopman MT, van der Hoeven JG, Netea MG, Pickkers P. The influence of concentration/meditation on autonomic nervous system activity and the innate immune response: a case study. Psychosom Med. 2012 Jun;74(5):489-94. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e3182583c6d.

    PubMed 22685240
  • Zwaag J, Naaktgeboren R, van Herwaarden AE, Pickkers P, Kox M. The Effects of Cold Exposure Training and a Breathing Exercise on the Inflammatory Response in Humans: A Pilot Study. Psychosom Med. 2022 May 1;84(4):457-467. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001065. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

    PubMed 35213875

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Hyper/hypoventilation and Strength ventilation in people with Autoimmune Diseases, run by Radboud University Medical Center at 1 site in Netherlands.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 14 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Nov 2015. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Netherlands. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Concentration of plasma adrenaline within arm 1 (time frame: 1 day). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02417155, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Nov 2015.

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