Recruiting

Using MRI to monitor lung changes when adjusting airway clearance therapy

Plain-English translation of NCT06339593 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

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Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether advanced MRI imaging can sensitively detect changes in your lungs when you adjust how often you do mechanical airway clearance therapy. Cystic fibrosis causes thick mucus buildup in the lungs, and airway clearance therapy helps clear it—but it takes about 2 hours every day, which is very burdensome. With newer CF medications like Trikafta now available and working really well, some patients and families wonder if they need to do airway clearance as often.

Right now, doctors don't have a good way to quickly and sensitively measure whether your lungs are staying healthy when you change your airway clearance routine. The study aims to see if MRI can detect small lung changes that regular breathing tests might miss, so doctors and patients can make safer decisions about adjusting this demanding therapy.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 12 and 21 years old
you have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and prescribed mechanical airway clearance therapy
you have been taking a highly effective CF medication (like Trikafta) for at least 30 days
your CF is currently stable with no recent lung infections or flare-ups
you are able to cooperate with MRI procedures and can commit to study visits

You likely don't qualify if…

you have metal implants or severe claustrophobia that would prevent safe MRI scanning
you are pregnant, nursing, or might be pregnant
you have active respiratory symptoms like wheezing or a current lung infection
you have other chronic lung, liver, or pancreatic diseases unrelated to CF
you have made changes to your CF medications in the past 28 days

What participation looks like

You would come for multiple study visits where you'll have MRI scans of your lungs (without radiation), standard breathing tests, and possibly washout tests that measure how your lungs clear air. Depending on which group you're in, you might be asked to increase, decrease, or restart your airway clearance therapy at different frequencies for short periods while the research team monitors how your lungs respond. The study takes place over several weeks, and your treating CF doctor will be involved and agree to the study plan.

Using MRI to monitor lung changes when adjusting airway clearance therapy

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)