Dysfunctional BreathingNCT07107191
Dysfunctional Breathing and Physical Fitness in Older Adults
An observational study of Dysfunctional Breathing and Older Adults, run by Istinye University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dysfunctional Breathing, Older Adults
- What is being tested?
- Assessment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 30 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- 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 65 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Study population: individuals aged sixty-five and older
Who may be able to join
- Aged 65 years or older
- Regularly monitored (followed) for at least six months
- Possess sufficient cognitive ability to communicate
- Able to perform activities of daily living independently or with minimal assistance
- No history of respiratory disease within the past three months
- No current acute illness
Who cannot join
- Advanced dementia or significant cognitive impairment
- A diagnosis of cardiopulmonary disease (e.g., COPD, congestive heart failure)
- A history of malignancy
- Serious musculoskeletal conditions
- Major surgery within the past six months
- Neurological or orthopedic problems that limit physical activity
- Refused to participate in the study
- Inability to complete the measurement procedures
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Yunus Emre TÜTÜNEKEN
Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, 34010
About this study
Official title: The Relationship Between Dysfunctional Breathing and Physical Fitness in Older Adults: a Comparative Cross-sectional Study
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.
- Conditions
- Dysfunctional Breathing, Older Adults
- Being tested
- Assessment
- Keywords
- physical fitness, dysfunctional breathing, older adults
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AssessmentOther
Data will be collected from all participants in assessmnet group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Not described Receives: Other: Assessment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Nijmegen Questionnaire
The NQ evaluates and identifies respiratory dysfunction, unexplained respiratory symptoms, and HV syndrome symptoms. It contains 16 questions addressing neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and psychological factors. The questionnaire uses a 5-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 64. Higher scores suggest a greater likelihood of respiratory dysfunction and HV syndrome. A score above 23 indicates a possible DB diagnosis.
Measured: 4 weeks
Senior Fitness Test Battery
To assess physical fitness levels, the Senior Fitness Test Battery , developed by Rikli and Jones, is administered, comprising six tests: chair sit-stand, weightlifting, chair sit-lie, 2-minute step, 8-step stand-walk, and back scratching.
Measured: 4 weeks
30-Second Chair Stand Test
This test measures lower-body muscle strength. The participant sits in a 43.18 cm high chair with a straight back, feet flat on the floor, and arms crossed over the chest. Upon the "start" command, they stand up and sit down repeatedly as many times as possible within 30 seconds.
Measured: 4 weeks
Arm Curl Test
This test assesses upper-body strength. The participant sits on the edge of a chair facing their dominant arm. They extend and flex their elbow for 30 seconds while holding a dumbbell (2.27 kg [5 lb] for women, 3.63 kg [8 lb] for men). Before testing, each participant was shown and explained the procedure, performing two or three practice attempts without weights. Once understood, the test commenced.
Measured: 4 weeks
Two-Minute Step Test
This test is used to evaluate aerobic endurance. To perform the test, the distance from the anterior iliac crest to the midpoint of the patella was measured while the subject was standing straight.
Measured: 4 weeks
Eight-Foot Up and Go Test
Eight-Foot Up and Go Test evaluates agility and dynamic balance. A person sitting upright in the center of a chair with their back resting against the backrest is asked to place both hands on their knees, keep their feet flat on the floor, and, upon the command "start," walk around a cone located 2.44 meters away and return to the chair as quickly as possible. The time taken (in seconds) to complete the test is recorded.
Measured: 4 weeks
Chair Sit and Reach Test
Chair Sit and Reach Test measures lower-body flexibility. This modified sit-and-reach test uses a straight-backed chair with a seat height of 43.18 cm and a 46 cm ruler.
Measured: 4 weeks
Back Scratch Test
This test evaluates upper extremity flexibility, especially shoulder flexibility. The subject stands, externally rotates one arm over their shoulder with the palm facing back and fingers extended, trying to reach the lowest point on their back.
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Aug 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion15 Sep 2025
- Study completion30 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Dysfunctional BreathingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istinye UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yunus Emre Tutuneken, Istinye University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07107191
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025/203
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 13 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Relationship Between Dysfunctional Breathing and Physical Fitness in Older Adults: a Comparative Cross-sectional Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07107191
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025/203
- Conditions
- Dysfunctional Breathing, Older Adults
- Keywords
- physical fitness, dysfunctional breathing, older adults
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | – | Other: Assessment |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
- Study population
- individuals aged sixty-five and older
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Aged 65 years or older
- Regularly monitored (followed) for at least six months
- Possess sufficient cognitive ability to communicate
- Able to perform activities of daily living independently or with minimal assistance
- No history of respiratory disease within the past three months
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Advanced dementia or significant cognitive impairment
- A diagnosis of cardiopulmonary disease (e.g., COPD, congestive heart failure)
- A history of malignancy
- Serious musculoskeletal conditions
- Major surgery within the past six months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| AssessmentData will be collected from all participants in assessmnet group. | Other | Group 1 |
Primary outcome
Nijmegen Questionnaire
Time frame: 4 weeks
The NQ evaluates and identifies respiratory dysfunction, unexplained respiratory symptoms, and HV syndrome symptoms. It contains 16 questions addressing neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and psychological factors. The questionnaire uses a 5-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 64. Higher scores suggest a greater likelihood of respiratory dysfunction and HV syndrome. A score above 23 indicates a possible DB diagnosis.
Senior Fitness Test Battery
Time frame: 4 weeks
To assess physical fitness levels, the Senior Fitness Test Battery , developed by Rikli and Jones, is administered, comprising six tests: chair sit-stand, weightlifting, chair sit-lie, 2-minute step, 8-step stand-walk, and back scratching.
30-Second Chair Stand Test
Time frame: 4 weeks
This test measures lower-body muscle strength. The participant sits in a 43.18 cm high chair with a straight back, feet flat on the floor, and arms crossed over the chest. Upon the "start" command, they stand up and sit down repeatedly as many times as possible within 30 seconds.
Arm Curl Test
Time frame: 4 weeks
This test assesses upper-body strength. The participant sits on the edge of a chair facing their dominant arm. They extend and flex their elbow for 30 seconds while holding a dumbbell (2.27 kg [5 lb] for women, 3.63 kg [8 lb] for men). Before testing, each participant was shown and explained the procedure, performing two or three practice attempts without weights. Once understood, the test commenced.
Two-Minute Step Test
Time frame: 4 weeks
This test is used to evaluate aerobic endurance. To perform the test, the distance from the anterior iliac crest to the midpoint of the patella was measured while the subject was standing straight.
Eight-Foot Up and Go Test
Time frame: 4 weeks
Eight-Foot Up and Go Test evaluates agility and dynamic balance. A person sitting upright in the center of a chair with their back resting against the backrest is asked to place both hands on their knees, keep their feet flat on the floor, and, upon the command "start," walk around a cone located 2.44 meters away and return to the chair as quickly as possible. The time taken (in seconds) to complete the test is recorded.
Chair Sit and Reach Test
Time frame: 4 weeks
Chair Sit and Reach Test measures lower-body flexibility. This modified sit-and-reach test uses a straight-backed chair with a seat height of 43.18 cm and a 46 cm ruler.
Back Scratch Test
Time frame: 4 weeks
This test evaluates upper extremity flexibility, especially shoulder flexibility. The subject stands, externally rotates one arm over their shoulder with the palm facing back and fingers extended, trying to reach the lowest point on their back.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Dysfunctional Breathing and Older Adults, run by Istinye University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 6 inclusion and 8 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 13 May 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Nijmegen Questionnaire (time frame: 4 weeks). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 13 May 2026.