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Breathing Exercises for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

This study is looking at whether breathing exercise training can help people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). You would participate in weekly breathing exercises, using an app and a device to track your heart data at home. The researchers want to see if these exercises change how certain parts of your brain, specifically the periaqueductal gray region (PAG), communicate and if they improve your heart rate variability (HRV). This could help doctors understand more about how the brain works in people with POTS. The study is looking for 12 participants between 18 and 50 years old who have been diagnosed with POTS or similar conditions and can speak English. The current status of the study is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 12 participants. The phase of the study is not specified.
What's involved
You would have weekly training for 4 weeks and practice breathing exercises at home for 10 minutes, twice a day. Your heart rate variability will be assessed for 2 days each week for the 6-week duration of the study.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) will be assessed for 2 days each week for the duration of the study (6 weeks).

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05618067

The Impact of Improved Vagal Function on Periaqueductal Gray Connectivity

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 18–50InterventionalSupportive care
Virginia Commonwealth University
~12 participants
Updated 2026-08-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:breathing exercise training

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in periaqueductal gray region (PAG) activation - looming task
Measured over 90 minutes
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Explore related trials

Orthostatic IntolerancePostural Orthostatic Tachycardia SyndromeSyncope

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Virginia1

Study leadership

  • Thomas Chelimsky, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Virginia Commonwealth University

Who to contact

Thomas Chelimsky, M.D.
[email protected]
(804)-628-0145
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age 18-50 years
Diagnosis of POTS, orthostatic intolerance (with or without syncope), syncope, or near-syncope
Can speak and read in English
Upcoming new patient VCU Comprehensive Autonomics Center clinic visit scheduled at least 1 week in the future

Exclusion

Inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue or auto-immune disorder
Any chronic neurological disorder besides POTS, orthostatic intolerance (with or without syncope), syncope, or near-syncope
Patients who have already had a new patient clinic visit where they were exposed to breathing exercise education
Evidence of unstable medical disorder, such as kidney (rising creatinine, or end-stage renal failure) or liver impairment (rising AST or ALT, or end-stage with coagulopathy), poorly controlled significant cardiovascular (CHF), respiratory, endocrine (diabetes - A1c \> 9 - or untreated thyroid dysfunction) or uncontrolled psychiatric illness (such as untreated depression, psychosis, etc.)
Neuropathy, central nervous system disorder (e.g., Cerebral palsy, developmental delay, seizure disorder, MS, stroke, etc.)
Treatment with a drug or medical device within the previous 30 days that has not received regulatory approval
Use of hormones (except insulin, thyroid replacement or oral contraceptives, which will be carefully documented)
Current substance or alcohol abuse
Any major surgical intervention with general anesthesia in the last 60 days and minor procedure, such as tooth extraction, endoscopy, etc., with local or conscious sedation within 7 days
Any on-going or pending medical, health or disability related litigation, or current pursuit of disability
Any condition that in the judgment of the investigator would interfere with the patient's ability to provide informed consent, comply with study instructions, place the patient at increased risk, or which would clearly confound the interpretation of the study results (specific reason will be documented)
Chronic use of narcotics for pain
Claustrophobia or any metal hardware that may interfere with MRI
Investigators and study staff

What this trial measures

  • Change in periaqueductal gray region (PAG) activation - looming task90 minutes

    Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be performed to measure activation of the PAG region during the looming task

  • Change in PAG activation - resting90 minutes

    Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be performed to measure activation of the PAG region while at rest

  • Change in Heart Rate Variability (HRV)Assessed for 2 days each week for the duration of the study (6 weeks).

    HRV will be measured using an ear clip and/or wristband and results will be recorded automatically in the app