Effect of Pranayamic Breathing and Tongue Exercises on Oral Microbiota in Children

NCT07755111 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: PRANAYAMIC-MICROBIOTA-26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of pranayamic breathing techniques and tongue exercises on oral microbiota in children aged 7-12 years. Children will be grouped according to their breathing patterns (mouth or nasal breathing), and a structured breathing and tongue exercise program will be applied. Saliva samples will be collected before and after the intervention to analyze changes in oral microbiota. The study will include approximately 80 participants and is expected to last for 6 months. There are no anticipated risks for participants. The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between breathing patterns, oral exercises, and oral health in children.

Conditions

Mouth Breathing; Oral Microbiota

Keywords

Oral Microbiota; Pranayamic Breathing; humming exercise; Mouth Breathing; Tongue Exercises

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in oral microbiota alpha diversity as measured by the Shannon diversity index from 16S rRNA gene sequencing of saliva samples

  This outcome evaluates the effect of the intervention (pranayamic breathing exercises, tongue exercises, and tongue-cleaning practice) on the diversity of the oral microbiota. Alpha diversity will be assessed from saliva samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantified using the Shannon diversity index. The mean Shannon index at baseline will be compared with the value after the 8-week intervention, and the change from baseline will be reported.

  8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Salivary Nitric Oxide Levels

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Mouth Breathing Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants with mouth breathing habits will be included in this group. A structured program consisting of pranayamic breathing techniques, tongue exercises, and, in selected subgroups, tongue cleaning will be applied. Saliva samples will be collected before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in oral microbiota.

Behavioral: Pranayamic Breathing and Tongue Exercises

Nasal Breathing Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants with nasal breathing habits will be included in this group. A structured program consisting of pranayamic breathing techniques, tongue exercises, and, in selected subgroups, tongue cleaning will be applied. Saliva samples will be collected before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in oral microbiota.

Behavioral: Pranayamic Breathing and Tongue Exercises

Interventions

Pranayamic Breathing and Tongue Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform a structured program including pranayamic breathing techniques and tongue exercises, and, in selected subgroups, tongue cleaning. The program will be applied regularly over the study period, and saliva samples will be collected before and after the intervention to assess changes in oral microbiota.

Mouth Breathing Group; Nasal Breathing Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 7-12 years with either mouth breathing or nasal breathing patterns
• Willingness of both the child and their legal guardian to participate in the study
• Children who are cooperative and able to comply with the exercise protocol

You may not qualify if:

• Refusal of the child or legal guardian to participate in the study
• Presence of active dental caries or periodontal disease
• Presence of any systemic disease or regular medication use
• Use of orthodontic appliances
• Use of antibiotics or probiotics within the last 4 weeks

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gulcin Ozsen: lead

Study Sites (1)

Dentistun Oral and Dental Health Center, Istanbul Health and Technology University

Istanbul, Bahcelievler, 34180, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mouth Breathing

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Gulcin Ozsen, DDS

CONTACT

+90 555 711 99 39; gulcinozsen@gmail.com

Bugra OZEN, DDS, PhD

CONTACT

+90 5322567227; bugra.ozen@istun.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcomes assessor responsible for microbiota analysis will be blinded to group allocation. Saliva samples will be coded and anonymized to prevent identification of participants' group assignments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 19, 2026
• First Posted: August 10, 2026
• Study Start: March 28, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Last Updated: August 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)