The Effect of Slow-Paced Breathing on Patient Outcomes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Project no. 28455 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2023

Summary

Aim: This study aims to investigate the effects of slow-paced breathing (SPB) intervention applied to patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the home environment on symptom management (dyspnea, fatigue, sleep quality), clinical parameters (Six-Minute Walking Test-6MWT), IL-6, NT-proBNP results) and quality of life.Methods: The study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study with participants from the Pulmonary Hypertension Outpatient Clinic at the Cardiology Department of Ege University Health Application and Research Center. The sample consisted of 42 patients—21 in the intervention group and 21 in the control group—who met the selection criteria and were assigned to groups using simple randomization.Data were collected through a variety of instruments: a Patient Introduction Form, a Slow-Paced Breathing Application Video, a Slow-Paced Breathing Application Diary, the Modified Borg Scale, the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Six-Minute Walk Test Form, a Laboratory Analysis Form, the EmPHasis-10 Quality of Life Scale, and a Structured Telephone Interview Form.Data were collected in three stages: baseline (0th week), interim (6th week) and final follow-up (12th week). In addition to the standard protocol, the patients in the intervention group received the slow-paced breathing intervention and were provided with the application video to download on their mobile phones following the initial interview. The slow-paced breathing exercises were performed once daily. After the first follow-up, telephone interviews were conducted at 2, 4, 8, and 10 weeks. A standard protocol was applied to the patients in the control group and all data obtained were recorded.Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.43 ± 12.37 years, with 66,7% being female. The majority of patients were classified as World Health Organization Functional Class II (81%), 57,1% had congenital heart disease, and 64,3% were unemployed. Additionally, 69,0% of the patients reported no additional chronic conditions, 78,6% were non-smokers, and 61,9% had not been hospitalized in the previous year. After 12 weeks of the slow-paced breathing intervention, no significant differences were observed in dyspnea, fatigue, sleep quality, quality of life, IL-6, or NT-proBNP levels between the intervention and control groups. However, a significant improvement was noted in the Six-Minute Walking Test results (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Although no statistically significant differences were found in symptoms, quality of life, or laboratory markers among pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients who participated in a slow-paced breathing intervention for 12 weeks compared to the control group, the results of the six-minute walk test indicated improved exercise capacity in the intervention group. This finding is promising for future studies that may explore the effectiveness of this breathing technique in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Keywords: Pulmonary arterial hypertension, Slow-paced breathing, Symptom management, Quality of life, Nursing

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