---
title: Improve speech cough and breathing
nct_id: NCT07674264
phase: NA
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: University of Florida
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07674264"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07674264"
last_fetched: "2026-06-29T14:01:26.132Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Improve speech cough and breathing

**Goal (in five words):** Improve speech cough and breathing

**Official Title:** A Pilot Study of Acute Intermittent Hypercapnia-Based Interventions on Upper Airway and Axial Motor Function in Parkinson's Disease

**Trial ID:** [NCT07674264](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07674264)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** NA
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** University of Florida
- **Target Enrollment:** 32 participants
- **Start Date:** 2026-06-20
- **Completion Date:** 2028-12-31
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease, Parkinsonism
- **Interventions:** Acute intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia (AIHH), Acute intermittent hypercapnic normoxia (AIHN)
- **Intervention Types:** OTHER

## Summary For Families

It is testing whether a single session of brief, repeated breathing exposures can improve upper airway and trunk problems in Parkinsonism, such as disordered breathing, quieter speech, and weak cough that are not well helped by current treatments. The study compares two breathing approaches: one with higher carbon dioxide and lower oxygen, and one with higher carbon dioxide but normal oxygen, to see if either boosts upper airway and axial motor function and to look for biological signs that predict who benefits. Adults 40 to 75 with idiopathic Parkinsonism at moderate stages (Hoehn and Yahr 2 to 4), who are medically stable, can walk at least 10 feet, and can follow directions may be eligible; people with serious lung or heart disease, recent smoking, deep brain stimulation, or pregnancy risk are excluded.

## What This Actually Involves

**Placebo** _(From the protocol)_: There is no placebo group. Everyone receives an active treatment; the study compares one treatment against another.

**Visits** _(From the protocol)_: The study involves a single session.
  > "This randomized pilot trial tests whether a single session of acute intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia (AIHH) or hypercapnic normoxia (AIHN) improves upper airway and axial motor function in Parkinsonism, and explores biomarker correlates of intervention responsiveness."

**Procedures** _(Ask the coordinator)_: Ask the coordinator what tests and procedures are involved, for example blood draws, scans, or questionnaires, and whether any are uncomfortable or invasive.

**Washout** _(Ask the coordinator)_: Ask the coordinator whether you would need to stop or pause any of your current medications before or during the study (a washout period), and for how long.

**Travel & reimbursement** _(Ask the coordinator)_: Ask the coordinator whether travel, parking, or your time is reimbursed or compensated, and what is covered.

_Fields marked “From the protocol” come from the trial's registry record or quoted protocol text. Fields marked “Ask the coordinator” are not reliably available and should be confirmed directly._

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 40 Years
- **Maximum age:** 75 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

1. adults 40 to 75 years of age (the latter to reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease)
2. diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinsonism with Hoehn and Yahr stages 2-4
3. medically stable with physician clearance
4. ability to ambulate at least 10 feet with/without assistance
5. ability to follow directions
6. willing to abstain from blood donation for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. additional neurologic conditions
2. severe illness or infection, including respiratory/cardiovascular/lung disease, or uncontrolled hypertension
3. inspiratory stridor
4. pregnancy due to unknown tAIH effects on a fetus, although females of childbearing age will not be excluded\*
5. cigarette smoking or vaping within 5 years
6. history of head/neck/lung cancer with the exception of basal cell carcinoma
7. is currently participating in another research study that could influence the results from this study
8. has deep brain stimulation electrodes implanted or has a history of deep brain stimulation
9. faints or becomes lightheaded at the sight of blood

   * If a female of childbearing potential indicates there is a chance she could be pregnant, she will be provided a pregnancy test and allowed to continue in the study if negative. This is because the fetal risks associated with intermittent hypoxia are unknown.
```

## Locations (2)

- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States _(29.6516, -82.3248)_
  - Michela Mir, CCC-SLP, PhD, (CONTACT), 352-273-6095, michela.mir@ufl.edu
  - Alysha Bogard, PhD, (CONTACT), 3038279875, abogard@ufl.edu
  - Michela Mir, CCC-SLP, (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
  - Alysha Bogard, PhD, (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Gainesville, Florida, United States _(29.6516, -82.3248)_
  - Michela Mir, CCC-SLP, PhD, (CONTACT), 303-827-9875, michela.mir@ufl.edu
  - Alysha Bogard, PhD, (CONTACT), 3038279875, abogard@ufl.edu
  - Michela Mir, CCC-SLP, (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
  - Alysha Bogard, PhD, (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

## Central Contacts

- Michlela Mir, CCC-SLP, PhD, (CONTACT), 352-273-6095, michela.mir@ufl.edu
- Alysha Bogard, PhD, (CONTACT), 3038279875, abogard@ufl.edu

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07674264*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07674264*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07674264*