This research will aid in understanding of slow-breathing and its effect on heart rate and blood pressure in people with a spinal cord injury (SCI). This research will investigate if traditional 'yogic' breathing exercises can be performed by subjects with SCI and its influence on the cardiovascular system.
The relationship between respiratory patterns and cardiovascular variability in healthy persons has been previously studied. However, the impact of SCI on the interrelationships between the respiratory and cardiovascular systems remains relatively unstudied. The loss of autonomic control in SCI may mean that slow breathing has profound effects on cardiovascular variability. Hence, those with SCI may represent a population that could benefit from the potential physiologic effects of numerous yogic-based breathing patterns that can be applied anywhere any time. Hence, it is important to determine if slower breathing patterns can shift the cardiovascular control pattern to-wards important healthful effects. This physiological study will compare the effects of uncontrolled breathing and traditional yogic slow-breathing practices on cardiovascular variability in SCI patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
On two separate visits (on Day 1 and between Day 7 and 9 of their self-practice) the subject will be coached on yoga breathing techniques. The breathing techniques will be varied in: 1. frequency (between 0.25 and 0.1 Hz) 2. Inspiratory:Expiratory (I:E) ratio or 'Duty Cycle' 3. with and without ujjayi (yogic throat restriction) 4. with and without inspiratory/expiratory breath holding At the end of the first coaching visit the subject will be given a diary to record their own practice of the breathing techniques they were coached on.
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Heart Rate Variability
R-R interval on a 5 lead Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Time frame: 1,5 hour during Slow-breathing
beat-by-beat arterial pressure
blood pressure fluctuations via Finometer and Dinamap blood pressure cuff
Time frame: 1,5 hour during Slow-breathing
beat-by-beat limb blood flow
brachial blood flow via doppler
Time frame: 1,5 hour during Slow-breathing
peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2)
blood oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry
Time frame: 1,5 hour during Slow-breathing
respiratory excursions
Measuring belly and chest depth of inspiration and expiration
Time frame: 1,5 hour during Slow-breathing
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