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Slow-paced respiration therapy to treat symptoms in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Matura LA, Fargo J, Fritz JS, Smith KA, Vaidya A, Pinder D, Archer-Chicko C, Palevsky HI et al.

Heart & lung : the journal of critical care, 2017

10 citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine the feasibility of using slow-paced respiration therapy to treat symptoms in women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Background: People with PAH report increased dyspnea, fatigue and sleep disturbance that can impair health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods: Ten women with PAH received 8-weeks of daily, 15 min sessions using slow-paced respiration therapy via the RESPeRATE™ device. Participants had baseline and follow up assessments including plasma norepinephrine and interleukin-6 (IL-6), self-report questionnaires to measure dyspnea, fatigue, depressive symptoms, sleep and HRQOL along with 7-day actigraphy and sleep diaries.

Results: The mean age was 50 years. Adherence to the intervention was 92%. There was decrease in median IL-6 levels [1.3 ± 0.5 to 1.1 ± 0.4, 95% CI (0.03-0.43)] over the study period. Sleep disturbance decreased, depressive symptoms decreased and HRQOL scores decreased (higher scores indicate worse HRQOL).

Conclusions: In this pilot study, slow-paced respiration therapy is feasible in patients with PAH and may improve symptoms and lower IL-6.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.

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