# Respiratory Biofeedback Sensor for Yoga Practice for Youth with Chronic Pain.

> **NIH NIH R41** · CREATIVE MICRO DESIGNS, INC. · 2023 · $89,084

## Abstract

Project Summary
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I application proposes the
development and trial of a novel non-invasive real-time breathing sensor – pneuRIP- to show
the beneficial effects of respiratory biofeedback on yoga. PneuRIP will be employed to monitor
and improve asana (posture) and pranayama (breathing) in yoga in youth with chronic pain. The
sensor consists of two inductive bands worn around the chest and abdomen that measure and
differentiate diaphragmatic and chest breathing through Respiratory Inductance
Plethysmography (RIP). Readings are recorded and analyzed on a small chest-worn unit and
wirelessly transmitted to an iPad. Measures include the phase angle between the chest and
abdomen; percentage breathing through the ribcage; respiratory rate; and labored breathing
index. This sensor takes little time to set up and readings are provided instantaneously.
The first part of the proposal will develop the biofeedback software. The biofeedback component
will be related to the synchrony between diaphragmatic and chest breathing, and the relative
depth of breathing. This information will be presented to the user visually on an iPad screen in
the form of 2 moving bars – one corresponding to the chest and one to the belly.
In the second part of the study, we will test the pneuRIP with biofeedback with 20 youth with
pain enrolled in an interdisciplinary pediatric chronic pain program in a large pediatric hospital
receiving yoga as one of the therapies. The yoga regimen is 8 sessions, once per week.
Subjects will be randomized into two groups: one receiving instruction only on synchronous
breathing; the second group will receive biofeedback in addition. Outcomes will be standardized
measures of pain (recorded before and after entire regimen) and breathing indices (recorded
during each session). Outcomes will inform the feasibility of using real-time biofeedback in yoga
with a non-invasive respiratory monitor.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10777262
- **Project number:** 3R41AT012155-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** CREATIVE MICRO DESIGNS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** TARIQ RAHMAN
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $89,084
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-20 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10777262

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10777262, Respiratory Biofeedback Sensor for Yoga Practice for Youth with Chronic Pain. (3R41AT012155-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10777262. Licensed CC0.

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