Effectiveness of Slow Breathing on Blood Pressure and Quality of Life in Patients with Hypertension: A Randomized Trial

B Srinivasan; D Rajkumar

B Srinivasan Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
D Rajkumar Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India

Keywords: Breathing training, High blood pressure, Hypertension, Non-pharmacological measures, Quality of life, Slow breathing

Abstract

Background: Hypertension constitutes a significant cardiovascular burden globally. Non-pharmacological interventions are highly sought either as an adjunct or primary means of managing hypertension. Slow breathing (SB) is one of such approach which gains attention in recent times due to its multiple physiological benefits in lowering blood pressure (BP). However, there is a gap in literature testing the ability of SB training on quality of life (QOL) of hypertensive (HT) patients.
Aim of the Study: This study aims to find out the effectiveness of SB on reduction of BP and improvement in the health-related QOL in HT patients.
Materials and Methods: It was a randomized, open, and parallel-group trial design carried out at the Outpatient Department of Medicine in Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. The study consists of 60 HT patients assigned equally to either study or control group. The study group was trained with SB training for 4 weeks, whereas no specific treatment was given for controls.
Results: The mean drop in systolic BP (SBP) for the study group was 14.24 ± 3.30 mmHg, whereas the mean drop was only 5.28 ± 2.26 mmHg for controls. The mean drop in diastolic BP (DBP) was 6.20 ± 2.69 mmHg for the study group, whereas it was only 3.12 ± 2.05 mmHg for controls. There was significantly higher drop in systolic as well as DBP in the study group. Likewise, the World Health Organization QOL-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) was improved to 10.79 ± 5.47 in the 0–100 scale for the study group, whereas the mean improvement in the WHOQOL-BREF for control was 5.95 ± 0.01 in the 0–100 point scale.
Conclusions: It was concluded that 4 weeks of SB training were effective in reducing BP and improving QOL in patients with HT.

Author Biographies

B Srinivasan, Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India

Lecturer, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,

D Rajkumar, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India

Principal and Dean, Professor, Department of Physiology,

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