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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00969345

Effects of Respiratory Yoga Training on Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex of Healthy Elderly Subjects

The decreases of physiological capacities which take place with senescence include diminishing respiratory capacity as well as a reduction of heart rate variability and baroreflex sensibility. Altogether, these alterations increase elderly people's frailty and have a negative impact over quality of life. Since Yoga (Indian auto-discipline) has a wide range of respiratory exercises already investigated as components for non-pharmacological treatments for hypertension (situation in which heart rate variability is also diminished), the investigators hypothesis is that the training of respiratory exercises of Yoga may have a significant positive effect on heart rate variability and baroreflex of health elderly subjects, increasing quality of life and reducing frailty.

We included 30 health elderly subjects (both sexes, from 60 years-old onwards) divided into 2 randomized experimental groups: control (C) and respiration (R). Each group underwent an entry evaluation, followed by a 4-months training period, after which they were re-evaluated. Control consisted of 2 stretching classes per week, and respiration consisted of 2 respiratory exercises classes a week. Both groups were instructed to perform the exercises at home twice a day, and to keep a record of each session in a log sheet. Evaluations were: WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire for quality of life, 20 minutes of seated rest with heart rate, respiration and blood pressure acquired continuously for further spectral analysis.

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Key information

Conditions

Elderly Subjects Respiration Exercises

Age range

60 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Heart Institute (InCor)

São Paulo, Brazil

About this study

Heart rate variability was performed using the autoregressive model, and the baroreflex was calculated with the spontaneous approach, both with the softwares developed in Milan by Alberto Porta in a non-invasive way.

The frequency domain analysis of heart rate, respiration and systolic blood pressure were conducted, consisting of calculating the power spectral density with the minimum error predicted by Akaike's algorithm. Spectral power was then subdivided into two bands of physiological interest: low - (LF 0.03-0.15 Hz) indicating predominant sympathetic modulation, and high - (HF 0.15-0.5 Hz) frequency, indicating parasympathetic modulation of the heart. The fraction calculated dividing LF by HF (LF/HF ratio) provided information of sympathovagal balance to the heart. The spectral analysis of Systolic Blood Pressure provided information of the vasomotor tone, and the integration of heart rate information with these data also provided information about the spontaneous baroreflex gain.

Other questionnaires used were: Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Questionnaire, Stress Symptoms Questionnaire by Marilda Lipp - validated in Brazil, and Beck's anxiety and depression inventories.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Health elderly subjects

Exclusion criteria

  • Use of beta-blockers
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Previous training in respiratory exercises

Treatment and study plan

Stretching exercises

Other

Conducted twice a week, with instructions for home exercises twice a day, and registering each session on a log sheet.

Respiratory Exercises conducted twice a day for 10 minutes

Other

Conducted twice a week, with instructions for home exercises twice a day, and registering each session on a log sheet.

Primary outcomes

  1. Heart Rate Variability

    Time frame: 4 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. baroreflex gain

    Time frame: 4 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Sao Paulo

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Respiratory Yoga Training (Bhastrika) on Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex, and Quality of Life of Healthy Elderly Subjects

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2008
Study completion
2008
First posted
Sep 1, 2009
Registry last updated
Sep 1, 2009

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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