Effect of Non-invasive Magnetic Stimulation of the Brain on Breathlessness in Healthy Individuals.
- Conditions
- Dyspnea
- Interventions
- Device: Sham or actual non-invasive (Magnetic) brain stimulation
- Registration Number
- NCT05623696
- Lead Sponsor
- Oxford Brookes University
- Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to see if the front part of the brain called the "Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex" (DLPFC) has a role in our ability to feel breathlessness. The experiment will use a device that sits on the top of the head which produces a magnetic field that penetrates the scalp and excites the brain tissue directly under it. This procedure is called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), it is a painless procedure and known to be safe in healthy individuals. Previous research has shown that the pain felt when capsaicin, the active ingredient in 'chilli' powder, is applied to the hand is reduced by applying the rTMS on the scalp directly above the DLPFC part of the brain. In this experiment we want to see if breathlessness is also reduced. We will use a breathing task that will generate a moderate amount of breathlessness by adding a small amount of carbon dioxide to the inhaled air, while preventing the increase in the amount of breathing we would normally see in response to this. If we find that breathlessness produced by this breathing task is reduced after rTMS over the DLPFC, this may lead to new drugs that target this part of the brain in patients suffering from breathlessness due to heart or lung disease. The study will also improve our knowledge of how the brain enables us to feel breathlessness
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 16
healthy individuals, over 18 years old, with no history of heart, lung or neurological conditions
- Any history of respiratory problems (including Asthma that involves regular use of inhalers)
- Any history of heart or circulatory problems (e.g. palpitations, arrhythmias, angina, BP)
- Any history of epilepsy, convulsions or seizures, migraines, or fainting
- Any history of anxiety disorders (e.g. panic attacks)
- Any history of serious head injury or brain surgery
- Any metal parts in the head (except dental wire)
- Any implants (e.g. pacemaker, insulin pump, neurostimulator)
- Pregnancy or problems with alcohol or drug abuse.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Stimulation of Left DLPFC Sham or actual non-invasive (Magnetic) brain stimulation Intervention applied to Left DLPFC located by the BeamF3 technique Stimulation of Right DLPFC Sham or actual non-invasive (Magnetic) brain stimulation Intervention applied to Right DLPFC located by the BeamF3 technique Sham Stimulation Sham or actual non-invasive (Magnetic) brain stimulation Sham intervention applied to either the left or right DLPFC
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Air hunger Average of 4 steady state ratings in the last minute of air hunger tests Visual analog scale ratings of air hunger
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Dyspnoea-12 total, physical and emotion scores Administered immediately following pre and post intervention air hunger tests in relation to the "test just completed" Multidimensional D12-Questionnaire
Mood assessment immediately following pre and post intervention air hunger tests Bond Lader Mood questionnaire
Trait and state anxiety scores immediately following pre and post intervention air hunger tests Spielberger's State-Trait anxiety inventory
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Oxford Brookes University
🇬🇧Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom