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Recruiting NCT06190171

NCT06190171 Respiratory Strength Training in Heart Transplant Recipients

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06190171
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Condition Dysphagia
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 90 participants
Start Date 2024-05-17
Primary Completion 2026-09-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 90 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Active respiratory muscle strength trainingSham respiratory muscle strength training

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 90 participants in total. It began in 2024-05-17 with a primary completion date of 2026-09-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

This research study is investigating whether completing breathing exercises before surgery helps heart transplant patients recover after surgery. Previous studies have shown that breathing exercises can improve breathing, cough, and swallow function in patients with other diseases/conditions. The current study will investigate the impact of a preoperative respiratory muscle strength training program on breathing and cough function, swallow function, patient-reported eating and swallowing fatigue, and health outcomes in individuals undergoing heart transplantation. Participants will: * undergo tests of breathing, cough, and swallow function * complete questionnaires about the treatment, their swallow function * complete breathing exercises daily

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adult (18-90 years old) 2. Not pregnant 3. Undergoing evaluation or actively waitlisted for heart transplantation at VUMC with a waitlist status of 1-6 4. Have a computer, tablet or electronic device with a stable internet connection for telehealth sessions (outpatient) 5. Be willing to undergo testing procedures and complete the exercise training program. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Individual \<18 years old, \>90 years old 2. Pregnant 3. No access to a computer, tablet or electronic device with a stable internet connection for telehealth sessions 4. Unwilling or unable to undergo testing procedures and complete the exercise training program.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Cara Donohue, Ph.D.

✉ cara.donohue@vumc.org

📞 615-852-5085

Principal Investigator

Cara Donohue, Ph.D.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06190171 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 90 Years, studying Dysphagia. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT06190171 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06190171 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at cara.donohue@vumc.org for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06190171 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Nashville, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06190171 clinical trial?

NCT06190171 is sponsored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The principal investigator is Cara Donohue, Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The trial plans to enroll 90 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: September 2026  ·  Data Methodology