Recruiting

Testing menthol inhalation to help with shortness of breath

Plain-English translation of NCT05785026 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated November 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether menthol inhalation can help relieve shortness of breath in both healthy volunteers and people with COPD (a chronic lung disease). The study compares menthol to a placebo (a scent with no active ingredient, like strawberry) to see if menthol really makes a difference. Researchers will test this treatment during rest and during exercise to understand how well it works in different situations.

Many people with COPD struggle with shortness of breath that limits their daily activities. Doctors are looking for simple, safe ways to help people breathe more comfortably, and early studies suggest that menthol inhalation might help by triggering cooling sensations in the airways.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years of age or older
you can speak, read, and write Dutch or English
you are healthy with normal lung function, or you have been diagnosed with stable COPD
you are a non-smoker or have not smoked for at least 12 months
you have not had a COPD flare-up requiring oral steroids or antibiotics in the past 2 weeks (if you have COPD)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a serious heart, bone, nerve, or other major disease that would make exercise unsafe
you have a BMI below 18.5 or above 35, or significant recent facial surgery or injury
you are allergic to latex or sensitive to local anesthetics
you are currently smoking or have a history of early menopause before age 45
you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the trial

What participation looks like

You will visit the research center for study visits where you will inhale either menthol or a placebo scent while either resting or doing light exercise (like cycling). The researchers will measure how much your shortness of breath improves and monitor your breathing during these activities. Each participant will try both the menthol and placebo treatments so researchers can fairly compare how they work for you.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 26, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

Belgium

University Hospital Leuven, Leuven