Three Different Programs of Paced Breathing in Treating Hot Flashes in Women

Hot flash severity were graded from 1 to 4, as they range from mild, moderate, severe, or very severe. A hot flash score is defined by multiplying the daily frequency with the average hot flash severity. These scores are aggregated into average weekly hot flash activity scores for each patient.

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) has 19 items and seven component scales: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep-wake disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. The scoring algorithm yields seven component scales on 0-3 scales which are summed to produce a global score on a 0-21 scale with higher values representing more severe sleep difficulty. The global score is translated into 0-100 scale with high values representing best quality of life (QOL). The habitual sleep efficiency component and global score was estimated using the worst-case scenarios for the values that were provided for PSQI question 4. Change from baseline to week 9 was calculated by subtracting the baseline scores from the scores at week 9.

Participants were taught home monitoring of blood pressure and provided with the sphygmomanometer. The measurements data were recorded on the Blood Pressure Measurement log. Change from baseline to week 9 was calculated by subtracting the baseline measurement from the measurement at week 9.

Profile of Mood States (POMS) measures a variety of mood states including tension/anxiety, depression/dejection, anger/hostility, vigor/activity, fatigue/inertia and confusion/bewilderment. Each subscale consist of 5 items with a 5 points-scale (0=not at all, 1=a little, 2=moderately, 3=quite a bit and 4=extremely). The subscale scores were the sum of all five items. The total score was the sum of all subscale scores. The scores were then transformed into a 100-point scale with higher numbers indicating best quality of life (QOL). Change from baseline to week 9 was calculated by subtracting the baseline scores from the scores at week 9.

Profile of Mood States (POMS) measures a variety of mood states including tension/anxiety, depression/dejection, anger/hostility, vigor/activity, fatigue/inertia and confusion/bewilderment. Each subscale consist of 5 items with a 5 points-scale (0=not at all, 1=a little, 2=moderately, 3=quite a bit and 4=extremely). The subscale scores were the sum of all five items. The total score was the sum of all subscale scores. The scores were then transformed into a 100-point scale with higher numbers indicating best quality of life (QOL). Change from baseline to week 9 was calculated by subtracting the baseline scores from the scores at week 9. The correlation was estimated using Pearson correlation coefficients. The assessment of the Pearson Correlation Coefficients was the pre-specified Secondary outcome, and not the underlying changes in the POMS scores.

Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) consist of 3 items that assess the severity of fatigue and 6 items that assess the impact of fatigue on daily functioning in a 10-points scale with 0 as no fatigue or does not interfere with daily functioning and 10 as bad fatigue or completely interferes. The scores for the six items were summed up to form a total interference score. The linear analogue scale of fatigue was a 10-points scale with 0 as no fatigue and 10 as bad fatigue. All scores were then transformed into 0 to 100 scale, with 100 as less fatigue/less interference. Change from baseline to week 9 was calculated by subtracting the baseline scores from the scores at week 9.

Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) consist of 3 items that assess the severity of fatigue and 6 items that assess the impact of fatigue on daily functioning in a 10-points scale with 0 as no fatigue or does not interfere with daily functioning and 10 as bad fatigue or completely interferes. The scores for the six items were summed up to form a total interference score. The linear analogue scale of fatigue was a 10-points scale with 0 as no fatigue and 10 as bad fatigue. All scores were then transformed into 0 to 100 scale, with 100 as less fatigue/less interference. Change from baseline to week 9 was calculated by subtracting the baseline scores from the scores at week 9. The correlation was estimated using Pearson correlation coefficients. The assessment of the Pearson Correlation Coefficients was the pre-specified Secondary outcome, and not the underlying changes in the BFI fatigue items scores.

Symptom Experience Diary is a self-report diary of expected side effects from controlled breathing on 10-points scale with 10 represents symptoms all the time. Individual item scores were then transformed into 0 to 100 scale, with 100 indicates best quality of life (QOL). Change from baseline to week 9 was calculated by subtracting the baseline scores from the scores at week 9.

Symptom Experience Diary is a self-report diary of expected side effects from controlled breathing on 10-points scale with 10 represents symptoms all the time. Individual item scores were then transformed into 0 to 100 scale, with 100 indicates best quality of life (QOL). Change from baseline to week 9 was calculated by subtracting the baseline scores from the scores at week 9. The correlation was estimated using Pearson correlation coefficients. The assessment of the Pearson Correlation Coefficients was the pre-specified Secondary outcome, and not the underlying changes in the Symptom Experience Diary item scores.