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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07664774

Effects of Resonant Breathing on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and Perceived Stress

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Hypertension Cardiovascular Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

30 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Different Commuinty Center in Lahore

Lahore, Punjb, Pakistan

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults age 30-65 years
  • Patients with hypertension stage I
  • Patients with no serious comorbidities
  • Not currently in any breathing therapy or rehabilitation programs

Exclusion criteria

  • Age under 30 or over 65
  • Patients with severe hypertension (stage II or III)
  • Patients with serious comorbidities
  • Patients taking medicines affecting blood pressure or heart rate
  • Current use of tobacco or materials that may have an effect on blood pressure or stress level

Treatment and study plan

Resonant breathing

Combination Product

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Blood pressure

    Time frame: 8 week

    Blood pressure will be measured using a cuff wrapped around your upper arm.

  2. heart rate

    Time frame: 8 week

    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)

  3. perceived stress

    Time frame: 8 week

    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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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