Now enrolling 18-65 year old adults to join a 1-week breathing study!
USC Breathing Study Description
Can breathing slowly prevent onset of Alzheimer’s disease? This breathing study will look at how slow-paced breathing affects blood markers involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Breathing slowly can potentially reduce these markers and help prevent Alzheimer’s in healthy adults. In this study, we will train you to do daily slow-paced breathing sessions, which you will complete from home.
Key Study Details
- 1-week study
- 2 in-person campus visits (each 1 hour)
- Visits scheduled Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM. Weekends not available.
- 36 minutes daily slow breathing exercises from home
What to expect
Duration: 1 week
Campus Visits: You will visit the campus 2 times to complete surveys and a blood draw. Each visit will take 1 hour and take place Monday through Friday 9AM-5PM and select Saturdays. All visits will take place at the USC University Park Campus.
Home Assignments: You will be asked to complete daily breathing exercises for 36 minutes.
Payment: You may earn up to $102 for completing the campus visits and required breathing exercises. Additionally, depending on which condition you are randomized to, you may also receive small additional bonuses. You may or may not receive bonuses.
If you travel from an off-site location, a USC parking pass will be pre-paid and reserved for you.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are between 18-65 years old
- Are fluent in English
- Agree to provide blood samples
- Weigh at least 110 pounds (minimum weight for blood draws)
- Agree to complete 36 minutes of daily breathing exercises
- Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing
- Have reliable access to email, phone, and wifi
- Have good heart health (no abnormal cardiac rhythm; heart disease including coronary artery disease, angina, and arrhythmia; dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing)
Study Timeline
| Day | Task | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Campus Visit 1 (1 hour): blood draw, surveys, breathing exercise introduction | USC University Park Campus |
| Breathing exercise (18 min) | Home | |
| Day 2-7 | Breathing exercises (36 min every day) | Home |
| Day 8 | Campus Visit 2 (1 hour): blood draw, surveys | USC University Park Campus |
Questions? Contact us at breathingstudy@usc.edu or 213-740-9543.