This study aims to investigate the effects of slow-paced breathing (SPB) intervention applied to patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the home environment on symptom management (dyspnea, fatigue, sleep quality), clinical parameters (Six-Minute Walking Test-6MWT), IL-6, NT-proBNP results) and quality of life.
The therapeutic power of slow, controlled breathing has been recognized for centuries and is primarily used in relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga. It can be difficult for a patient to effectively perform these exercises on their own without training or individualized coaching. Numerous studies in recent years have shown that therapeutic breathing exercises performed without conscious effort, using devices, have positive effects on parameters such as blood pressure, stress management, respiratory modulation, sleep difficulties, and quality of life. Furthermore, the effects of slow-paced breathing performed with conscious effort using visual and auditory triggers have also been demonstrated in many studies. Slow-paced breathing is a breathing technique that aims to slow the inhalation and exhalation phases to a controlled rate determined by a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic pacer. While the spontaneous respiratory rate in adults is generally between 12 and 20 breaths per minute, this rate is reduced to as little as 6 breaths per minute with slow-paced breathing. With the therapeutic use of slow-paced breathing intervention, Studies have shown that arterial baroreflex sensitivity is increased, cardiopulmonary reflexes are activated, vascular resistance is reduced, peripheral blood flow is increased, and many positive effects on the cardiovascular system and respiratory functions, including respiratory sinus arrhythmia and exercise tolerance. There are very few studies on the outcomes of interventions aimed at symptom control, one of the most important goals of nursing care in pulmonary arterial hypertension. The existing studies (only two) are foreign-based and uncontrolled experimental studies. While they demonstrate the positive effects of the interventions, they cannot provide comprehensive data and have limited evidence. Further studies are needed to provide sufficient evidence on the subject. Furthermore, a systematic review of the existing literature revealed that studies on PAH, a rare disease, are quite limited at all levels. The nursing literature is even more limited. A video of a slow-paced breathing practice was used as an educational material in our research. This video was prepared with expert support based on videos used in similar studies for educational and demonstration purposes. The video preparation process: The presentation began with the preparation of a PowerPoint presentation using Microsoft Office 365 on a computer. The PowerPoint program's video conversion feature was used to make the presentation accessible on all platforms (Windows, iOS, Android, etc.). The video included a visual guide (a moving ball) that was followed visually to ensure adherence to a predetermined breathing rate, accompanied by relaxing music. This visual guide asked patients to continuously inhale through the nose as the ball rose, and to continuously exhale through the mouth with pursed lips as the ball descended. This study, which investigates the effects of slow-paced breathing intervention applied at home in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension on symptom management, clinical parameters, and quality of life, is a study that will contribute to the literature on cardiology nursing in our country and around the world.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
42
Other: Slow-paced breathing intervention After the intervention and control groups were determined, the purpose of the study was explained to both groups. Participants were informed that the intervention would last 12 weeks. Data collection forms would be completed face-to-face before the intervention (initial follow-up), during the 6th week (interim follow-up), and at the 12th week (final follow-up). Patients in the intervention group received a slow-paced breathing intervention in addition to the standard treatment protocol (verbal, video, and hands-on instruction, demonstration). After the first interview, participants received the application video (installed on a device such as a mobile phone, personal computer, and/or tablet, depending on the participant's preference and ease of use). The control group received only the standard treatment protocol. However, they were informed that they could perform the slow-paced breathing intervention upon completion of the study if they wished
Ege Üniversitesi
Izmir, Bornova, Turkey (Türkiye)
Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile
The multidimensional dyspnea profile consists of subheadings assessing immediate perception (6 items; total score range 0-60) and emotional reactions (5 items; total score range 0-50). Items are rated on a 0-10 scale, with higher scores indicating greater intensity, unpleasantness, or distress.
Time frame: Baseline, at the end of six weeks and at the end of twelve weeks
Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory
The inventory contains five subscales measuring general fatigue (items 1, 5, 12, and 16), physical fatigue (items 2, 8, 14, and 20), decreased activity (items 3, 6, 10, and 17), decreased motivation (items 4, 9, 15, and 18), and mental fatigue (items 7, 11, 13, and 19), totaling 20 items.
Time frame: Baseline, at the end of six weeks and at the end of twelve weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The index is a self-report measure that provides a quantitative measure of sleep quality to describe good and poor sleep over a one-month period. It consists of seven subcomponents and 24 items, 19 of which are self-reported and five of which are self-reported or evaluated by a roommate, if present.
Time frame: Baseline, at the end of six weeks and at the end of twelve weeks
Six-Minute Walk Test Form and Modified Borg Scale
The 6MWT (Six-Minute Walk Test), the most commonly used exercise test in monitoring patients with pulmonary hypertension, is an easy-to-administer and inexpensive test. Walking speed should be determined by the patient, but the goal of the test is to walk as far as possible in six minutes. The Modified Borg Scale, a unidimensional scale, is a subjective, reliable, and easily administered tool for determining the severity of dyspnea and fatigue perceived by the patient at rest and during exertion. The scale identifies the severity of dyspnea/fatigue by rating (0 to 10), with a score of 0 indicating "absent" and a score of 10 indicating "maximum" dyspnea/fatigue.
Time frame: Baseline, and at the end of twelve weeks
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Laboratory Analysis Form
It is recommended to monitor certain variables (NT-proBNP) at regular intervals during the diagnosis and follow-up phases of the disease. These variables can be used to assess prognosis and risk stratify, while also guiding the treatment protocol. In addition, some studies have used IL-6 as an indicator of inflammation and correlated it with sleep quality.
Time frame: Baseline, and at the end of twelve weeks
EmPHasis-10 Quality of Life Scale
This 10-question scale, developed for patients with pulmonary hypertension, addresses concerns about the disease's significant effects, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and lack of energy, as well as its impact on social relationships. Each question on the scale has a score between 0 and 5 and is assessed using a Likert scale.
Time frame: Baseline, at the end of six weeks and at the end of twelve weeks