Slow and Deep Breathing to Lower Blood Pressure in Women With Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

Last updated: February 6, 2024
Sponsor: Bournemouth University
Overall Status: Suspended

Phase

N/A

Condition

Vascular Diseases

Stress

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension - Pediatric)

Treatment

Slow and deep breathing

Clinical Study ID

NCT04059822
251062
  • Ages > 18
  • Female

Study Summary

This study evaluates the effect of slow and deep breathing on lowering blood pressure in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Slow and deep breathing will be practised daily for 10 minutes from enrolment until the woman gives birth. This feasibility study aims to investigate the practicality of conducting a proposed future randomised controlled trial.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Defined as "new hypertensionpresenting after 20 weeks of pregnancy without significant proteinuria (urinaryprotein:creatinine ratio greater than 30mg/mmol" by NICE guidelines (2010) ORdiagnosed as having one-off high blood pressure but at risk of developing PIH;
  • Single pregnancy;
  • Capable of giving informed consent;
  • Age over 18.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Under 18 years old;
  • Referred immediately to obstetric-care after PIH diagnosis for an immediateintervention, with systolic blood pressure over 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressureover 100 mmHg;
  • Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.);
  • Current smoker;
  • Current diagnosis of respiratory diseases; asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonarydisease), bronchitis. (A previous occurrence or diagnosis that has not been presentfor longer than 1 year ago does not exclude participants, i.e. childhood asthma);
  • Allergy/reaction to gel used on ECG tabs;
  • Vulnerable participants who are unable to give informed consent.

Study Design

Total Participants: 67
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Slow and deep breathing
Phase:
Study Start date:
January 14, 2020
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2026

Study Description

In addition to the slow and deep breathing intervention the women will undertake a short protocol investigating the physiological responses to slow and deep breathing during their initial meeting. The women will undertake 4 separate 5-min breathing exercises with a 5 minute rest period between each exercise. The breathing exercises are normal breathing, and fixed breathing frequencies of 4, 6 and 8 breaths per minute. Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate will be monitored continuously, and non-invasively, throughout each breathing protocol.

The women will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the intervention and their experiences in an online survey at 36 weeks gestation.

Connect with a study center

  • Bournemouth University

    Bournemouth, BH8 8GP
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

    Poole,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

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