Hypertension remains a significant global health challenge, often requiring lifelong management. While pharmacological treatments are standard, there is increasing interest in non-pharmacological interventions like resonant breathing. This technique, characterized by slow, rhythmic breathing at 4.5-7 breaths per minute, is thought to lower blood pressure by enhancing parasympathetic activity and restoring autonomic balance.
This study is a randomized, parallel-group controlled trial conducted in community rehabilitation centers in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 50 participants diagnosed with stage I hypertension will be enrolled and allocated into two groups using a computer-generated randomization sequence with allocation concealment. Participants in both groups will undergo standard physiotherapy consisting of general warm-up exercises and stretching, performed under supervision three times per week for eight weeks. The intervention group will additionally receive resonant breathing training, delivered as a structured breathing exercise performed for approximately 20 minutes per session. Resonant breathing is a slow-paced breathing technique performed at approximately 4.5-7 breaths per minute with equal inhalation and exhalation phases. It is intended to improve autonomic balance by enhancing parasympathetic activity and reducing sympathetic nervous system dominance, thereby potentially improving cardiovascular and psychological outcomes. Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline and after 8 weeks. Primary outcomes include systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived stress. Blood pressure and heart rate will be measured using a validated automated digital sphygmomanometer. Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS version 26. Within-group comparisons will be analyzed using paired t-tests, while between-group comparisons will be assessed using independent t-tests. Effect size will be calculated using Cohen's d, with statistical significance set at p \< 0.05.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
50
Resonant breathing, or Coherent Breathing, is a slow, rhythmic technique focusing on equal inhales and exhales (often 5-6 seconds each) to calm the nervous system, improve heart rate variability (HRV), and reduce stress by aligning breath with heart rhythms.
Different Commuinty Center in Lahore
Lahore, Punjb, Pakistan
Blood pressure
Blood pressure will be measured using a cuff wrapped around your upper arm.
Time frame: 8 week
heart rate
To measure heart rate, find your pulse on your wrist or neck, count beats for 15 or 30 seconds, then multiply to get beats per minute (bpm)
Time frame: 8 week
perceived stress
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scoring involves answering 10 (or 14/4) questions on a 0 (never) to 4 (very often) scale, then reversing scores for specific items (4, 5, 7, 8 for PSS-10) before summing them to get a total score (0-40 for PSS-10), with higher scores meaning more perceived stress, generally falling into low (0-13), moderate (14-26), and high (27-40) categories, though it's a self-assessment tool, not a diagnostic one.
Time frame: 8 week
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