Effect of Slow- and Fast-Breathing Exercises on Autonomic Functions in Patients with Essential Hypertension
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Short Title:
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
2009/07//
Pages:
711 - 717
Sources ID:
117260
Collections:
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
Objectives: Breathing exercises practiced in various forms of meditations such as yoga may influence autonomic functions. This may be the basis of therapeutic benefit to hypertensive patients. Design: The study design was a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study using three groups. Subjects: The subjects comprised 60 male and female patients aged 20–60 years with stage 1 essential hypertension. Intervention: Patients were randomly and equally divided into the control and other two intervention groups, who were advised to do 3 months of slow-breathing and fast-breathing exercises, respectively. Baseline and postintervention recording of blood pressure (BP), autonomic function tests such as standing-to-lying ratio (S=L ratio), immediate heart rate response to standing (30:15 ratio), Valsalva ratio, heart rate variation with respiration (E=I ratio), hand-grip test, and cold presser response were done in all subjects.Results: Slow breathing had a stronger effect than fast breathing. BP decreased longitudinally over a 3-month period with both interventions. S=L ratio, 30:15 ratio, E=I ratio, and BP response in the hand grip and cold pressor test showed significant change only in patients practicing the slow-breathing exercise.
Conclusions: Both types of breathing exercises benefit patients with hypertension. However, improvement in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic reactivity may be the mechanism that is associated in those practicing the slow-breathing exercise.