StressNCT07379606
Effects of Moderate Exercise and Cyclic Sighing on Stress, Cognition and Physiological Markers in Young Adults
A study testing Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA) and Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS) in people with Stress, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
Trial summary
This study investigates the effects of moderate physical exercise and cyclic sighing (breathing training) on stress, cognition, and physiological markers in young adults. It is a randomized cross-over trial with two interventions. Each participant will take part in two intervention sessions: 1. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Stress
- What is being tested?
- Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA) and Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePoland
- Study dates
- 31 Jul 2026to 30 Apr 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- male or female participants,
- age 18-35,
- without chronic somatic diseases,
- no current episode of psychiatric disorder (no active depression, mania, or psychosis),
- regular sleep schedule in the week prior to the study,
- not taking psychotropic drugs or medications,
- non-smoker,
- not working nightshifts.
Who cannot join
- consumption of alcohol or psychoactive substances the day before or on the day of the study,
- intense physical activity less than 2 hours before the study,
- consuming coffee, black tee, energy drinks less than 2 hours before the study,
- contraindications to moderate-intensity physical activity on cycle ergometer (e.g., recent injuries),
- contraindications to EEG (e.g., scalp skin conditions preventing proper electrode placement, hypersensitivity to conductive gels or pastes).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Poland1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Poznan University of Physical Education
Poznan, Wielkopolska, 61-871
Szerment, (61) 835 51 12, szerment@awf.poznan.pl
About this study
Official title: A Comparison of Psychophysiological Effects Between Relaxation Techniques and Physical Exercise in Young Adults
This study investigates the effects of moderate physical exercise and cyclic sighing (breathing training) on stress, cognition, and physiological markers in young adults. It is a randomized cross-over trial with two interventions. Each participant will take part in two intervention sessions:
- Moderate-intensity physical activity (PA): 15 minutes of stationary cycling at 65-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax).
- Breathing training (CS): 15 minutes of cyclic sighing, a technique involving inhaling, pausing briefly, taking a deeper breath, and exhaling slowly.
Read more
A one-week washout period between sessions is planned to minimise carry-over effects and to ensure participants' physiological state is similar before the next session. During this week, participants will wear Polar Ignite wrist-worn devices to monitor physical activity and sleep.
A total of 30 participants (you adults) will be enrolled.
Measurements performed before and after each intervention include:
- EEG using Emotiv EPOC Flex Gel (32-channel device): 2 minutes with eyes open, 2 minutes with eyes closed, during the interventions, and while performing cognitive test (N-back).
- Heart rate variability (HRV) using the Polar H10 sensor.
- SUDS - Subjective Units of Disress Scale for perceived stress.
- N-back test for cognitive performance using Emotiv App.
- Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and heart rate.
- Pain threshold measured with a dolorimeter.
- PANAS-SF - Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.
Baseline questionnaires completed by participants the day before the study:
- PSS-10 - Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, Mermelstein).
- MAAS - Mindful Attention Awareness Scale
- Psychological well-being - short version
- Mini-COPE - Coping with Stress Inventory
- Sleep quality and average sleep duration
- Chronotype questionnaire (morningness-eveningness)
- GPAQ - Global Physical Activity Questionnaire
- Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The study aims to understand how brief interventions like moderate exercise and breathing techniques affect stress, cognitive performance, and physiological responses in young adults.
- Conditions
- Stress
- Being tested
- Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA), Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS)
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA)Behavioural
Participants perform 15 minutes of stationary cycling at moderate intensity.
Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS)Behavioural
Participants perform 15 minutes of cyclic sighing (a breathing technique).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA) | Experimental | Participants perform 15 minutes of stationary cycling at moderate intensity. Receives: Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA) |
| Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS) | Experimental | Participants perform 15 minutes of cyclic sighing. Receives: Behavioral: Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mean EEG spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, gamma frequency bands during resting-state (eyes-open and eyes-closed)
Mean spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands derived from resting-state EEG recordings collected during eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Spectral power will be calculated separately for eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state conditions.
Measured: Baseline: immediately before intervention; Post-intervention: immediately after completion of the intervention period
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
HRV will be recorded at three time points. Baseline HRV will be calculated as the average over a 5-minute resting-state period immediately before intervention. HRV during the intervention will be calculated as the average over the entire intervention session (periprocedural). Post-intervention HRV will be calculated as the average over a 5-minute resting-state period immediately after intervention.
Measured: Baseline (average over 5-minute resting-state immediately before intervention); During intervention (average over entire session, periprocedural); Post-intervention (average over 5-minute resting-state immediately after intervention).
Secondary outcomes (8)
Mean EEG spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands during N-back task
Mean spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands derived from EEG recordings collected during performance of the N-back cognitive task. Spectral power will be calculated separately for each frequency band and averaged across all EEG channels.
Measured: Baseline (during N-back task immediately before each intervention session, periprocedural); Post-intervention (during N-back task immediately after each intervention session, periprocedural)
Mean EEG spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands during intervention session
Mean spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands derived from EEG recordings collected during the intervention session. Spectral power will be calculated separately for each frequency band and averaged across all EEG channels.
Measured: During intervention session (periprocedural, averaged over entire session)
Perceived Stress measured with the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS)
Participants rate their perceived stress using the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS), a self-reported scale ranging from 0 (no stress) to 100 (extreme stress), where higher scores indicate higher perceived stress.
Measured: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Cognitive Performance (N-back)
Working memory assessed using N-back test with Emotiv app.
Measured: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Blood Pressure
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured using standard protocols.
Measured: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Pain Threshold
Pain threshold measured using a dolorimeter (algorimeter)
Measured: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Positive and Negative Affect measured with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Short Form (PANAS-SF)
Participants complete the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Short Form (PANAS-SF), a self-reported scale assessing positive and negative affect. Each subscale contains 10 items rated from 1 (very slightly or not at all) to 5 (extremely), giving a possible score range of 10-50 for each subscale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of positive or negative affect, depending on the subscale.
Measured: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Heart Rate
Heart rate measured using standard protocols.
Measured: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jan 2026
- Study start31 Jul 2026
- Primary completion30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical Education
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ida Laudańska-Krzemińska, Study director, Poznan University of Physical Education
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07379606
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 716/25
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 2 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be shared in the RepOD repository after study completion. An embargo of up to 36 months may apply to allow for publication of primary study results. Data will be available for scientific research purposes.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Comparison of Psychophysiological Effects Between Relaxation Techniques and Physical Exercise in Young Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07379606
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 716/25
- Conditions
- Stress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical EducationUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 31 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Jan 2026 (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.
This study investigates the effects of moderate physical exercise and cyclic sighing (breathing training) on stress, cognition, and physiological markers in young adults. It is a randomized cross-over trial with two interventions. Each participant will take part in two intervention sessions:
- Moderate-intensity physical activity (PA): 15 minutes of stationary cycling at 65-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax).
- Breathing training (CS): 15 minutes of cyclic sighing, a technique involving inhaling, pausing briefly, taking a deeper breath, and exhaling slowly.
A one-week washout period between sessions is planned to minimise carry-over effects and to ensure participants' physiological state is similar before the next session. During this week, participants will wear Polar Ignite wrist-worn devices to monitor physical activity and sleep.
A total of 30 participants (you adults) will be enrolled.
Measurements performed before and after each intervention include:
- EEG using Emotiv EPOC Flex Gel (32-channel device): 2 minutes with eyes open, 2 minutes with eyes closed, during the interventions, and while performing cognitive test (N-back).
- Heart rate variability (HRV) using the Polar H10 sensor.
- SUDS - Subjective Units of Disress Scale for perceived stress.
- N-back test for cognitive performance using Emotiv App.
- Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and heart rate.
- Pain threshold measured with a dolorimeter.
- PANAS-SF - Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.
Baseline questionnaires completed by participants the day before the study:
- PSS-10 - Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, Mermelstein).
- MAAS - Mindful Attention Awareness Scale
- Psychological well-being - short version
- Mini-COPE - Coping with Stress Inventory
- Sleep quality and average sleep duration
- Chronotype questionnaire (morningness-eveningness)
- GPAQ - Global Physical Activity Questionnaire
- Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The study aims to understand how brief interventions like moderate exercise and breathing techniques affect stress, cognitive performance, and physiological responses in young adults.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA) | Experimental | Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA)Participants perform 15 minutes of stationary cycling at moderate intensity. |
| Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS) | Experimental | Behavioral: Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS)Participants perform 15 minutes of cyclic sighing. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- male or female participants,
- age 18-35,
- without chronic somatic diseases,
- no current episode of psychiatric disorder (no active depression, mania, or psychosis),
- regular sleep schedule in the week prior to the study,
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- consumption of alcohol or psychoactive substances the day before or on the day of the study,
- intense physical activity less than 2 hours before the study,
- consuming coffee, black tee, energy drinks less than 2 hours before the study,
- contraindications to moderate-intensity physical activity on cycle ergometer (e.g., recent injuries),
- contraindications to EEG (e.g., scalp skin conditions preventing proper electrode placement, hypersensitivity to conductive gels or pastes).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA)Participants perform 15 minutes of stationary cycling at moderate intensity. | Behavioural | Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA) |
| Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS)Participants perform 15 minutes of cyclic sighing (a breathing technique). | Behavioural | Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS) |
Primary outcome
Mean EEG spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, gamma frequency bands during resting-state (eyes-open and eyes-closed)
Time frame: Baseline: immediately before intervention; Post-intervention: immediately after completion of the intervention period
Mean spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands derived from resting-state EEG recordings collected during eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Spectral power will be calculated separately for eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state conditions.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Time frame: Baseline (average over 5-minute resting-state immediately before intervention); During intervention (average over entire session, periprocedural); Post-intervention (average over 5-minute resting-state immediately after intervention).
HRV will be recorded at three time points. Baseline HRV will be calculated as the average over a 5-minute resting-state period immediately before intervention. HRV during the intervention will be calculated as the average over the entire intervention session (periprocedural). Post-intervention HRV will be calculated as the average over a 5-minute resting-state period immediately after intervention.
8 secondary outcomes
Mean EEG spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands during N-back task
Time frame: Baseline (during N-back task immediately before each intervention session, periprocedural); Post-intervention (during N-back task immediately after each intervention session, periprocedural)
Mean EEG spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands during intervention session
Time frame: During intervention session (periprocedural, averaged over entire session)
Perceived Stress measured with the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS)
Time frame: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Cognitive Performance (N-back)
Time frame: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Blood Pressure
Time frame: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Pain Threshold
Time frame: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Positive and Negative Affect measured with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Short Form (PANAS-SF)
Time frame: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Heart Rate
Time frame: Baseline: immediately before each intervention session; Post-intervention: immediately after each intervention session
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be shared in the RepOD repository after study completion. An embargo of up to 36 months may apply to allow for publication of primary study results. Data will be available for scientific research purposes.
Related trials for Stress
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Stress Ball Use During Femoral Arterial Sheath Removal After Coronary Angiography
Femoral Arterial Sheath Removal, Stress Ball
Recruiting
Effect of a Brief Daily Digital Meditation on Well-Being in US Young Adults (BEGIN II)
Mental Health and General Well-being
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Periodontal Status and Biomarkers in MASLD
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
Recruiting
NightWare and Cardiovascular Health in Women With PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Cardiovascular Diseases
Active, not recruiting
Intervention to Address Disparate Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic on Latinx and African Newcomers
Mental Health Issue, Mental Health Disorder
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.
Ida Laudańska-Krzemińska study director
Poznan University of Physical Education
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA) and Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS) in people with Stress, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
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 8 inclusion and 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Nov 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 Poland. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Beata Jóźwiak ((61) 835 53 49, b.jozwiak@awf.poznan.pl), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Mean EEG spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, gamma frequency bands during resting-state (eyes-open and eyes-closed) (time frame: Baseline: immediately before intervention; Post-intervention: immediately after completion of the intervention period). The study lists 2 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 2 Nov 2026.