High Blood PressureNCT00328016
Breathe: Slow Paced Breathing to Lower Blood Pressure
A study testing Guided Breathing and RESPeRATE in people with High Blood Pressure, run by National Institute on Aging (NIA) at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature of the physiological reasons for the decreases in resting blood pressure that can result from systematic practice of computer-guided breathing exercises or meditative relaxation. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- High Blood Pressure
- What is being tested?
- Guided Breathing and RESPeRATE
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Apr 2006to Dec 2009
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 70 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Over 21 years
- Systolic blood pressure 130-160 or diastolic blood pressure 85-100
Who cannot join
- More than one antihypertensive medication
- Beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers
- History of coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, angina or coronary revascularization
- Kidney disease, defined as plasma creatinine > 1.5mg/dL
- Diabetes, defined by insulin or oral hypoglycemic medication or blood sugar > 126mg/dL
- Pulmonary disease, defined as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, asthma, or use of inhaler
Show all 12Show fewer
- Upper respiratory infection during past 30 days
- Medication that affects central nervous system function
- Steroid use
- Current pregnancy or lactation within past six months
- Current birth control medication or hormone replacement therapy
- Condition that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator is incompatible with the research study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
NIA Clinical Research Unit
Baltimore, Maryland, 21225
About this study
Official title: Respiratory Adaptations to Behavioral Interventions in Elevated Blood Pressure
The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature of the physiological reasons for the decreases in resting blood pressure that can result from systematic practice of computer-guided breathing exercises or meditative relaxation.
Read the detailed description
In this randomized clinical trial, persons with moderately elevated blood pressure were trained in either computer-guided breathing exercises or meditative relaxation to breathing. The computer-guided breathing exercise involves listening to tones of ascending and descending pitch to which breathing is entrained to low frequencies over a 15 minute interval. The meditative relaxation involves passive attention to natural breathing for the same duration. Participants will perform these breathing exercises daily at home for four weeks. Before and after the intervention, respiratory, cardiovascular, and urinary endogenous digitalis-like factors will be systematically recorded to determine the extent to which chronic neuroendocrine changes underlie the reductions in blood pressure.
- Conditions
- High Blood Pressure
- Being tested
- Guided Breathing, RESPeRATE
- Keywords
- hypertension, high blood pressure, meditation
- Medical subject headings
- Hypertension
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Guided BreathingBehavioural
The participant will engage in daily 15 min sessions of meditative relaxation that involves quiet attention to breathing pattern with no attempt to manipulate breathing pattern
RESPeRATEDevice
The participant will be trained to perform a guided breathing task that involves a chest expansion sensor, battery-powered microcomputer, and earphones
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Device Guided Breathing | Experimental | Individual breathing rate was determined from an expandable band around the torso connected to a commercially available device (RESPeRATE, Lod, Israel) that presented distinctive tones via earphones. Receives: Device: RESPeRATE |
| Control Group | Placebo comparator | Control group were instructed to sit in the same manner passively attend to their breathing, and silently repeat 'one' during each exhalation. If other thoughts came to mind, they were instructed to calmly attend to their breathing. Receives: Behavioral: Guided Breathing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Breathing Rate
Breathing rate was monitored continuously via inductive plethysmography.
Measured: After 15 minutes of guided breathing or control task
Secondary outcomes (2)
Minute Ventilation
Minute Ventilation was continuously monitored via inductive plethysmography
Measured: After 15 minutes of guided breathing or control task
End Tidal CO2 (PetCO2)
End tidal CO2 was monitored continuously using a respiratory gas monitor
Measured: After 15 minutes of guided breathing or control task
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 May 2006 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2006
- Primary completionDec 2009
- Study completionDec 2009
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for High Blood PressureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Sponsor type
- US National Institutes of Health
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- William B. Ershler, M.D., Principal investigator, NIA, Clinical research Unit
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00328016
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AG0067
- Status last verified
- Dec 2016
- First submitted
- 18 May 2006
- Last updated
- 2 Jul 2017
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: There is no plan to share individual level data.
Publications
Meles E, Giannattasio C, Failla M, Gentile G, Capra A, Mancia G. Nonpharmacologic treatment of hypertension by respiratory exercise in the home setting. Am J Hypertens. 2004 Apr;17(4):370-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjhyper.2003.12.009.
PubMed 15062893Elliot WJ, Izzo JL Jr, White WB, Rosing DR, Snyder CS, Alter A, Gavish B, Black HR. Graded blood pressure reduction in hypertensive outpatients associated with use of a device to assist with slow breathing. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2004 Oct;6(10):553-9; quiz 560-1. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2004.03553.x.
PubMed 15470284Grossman E, Grossman A, Schein MH, Zimlichman R, Gavish B. Breathing-control lowers blood pressure. J Hum Hypertens. 2001 Apr;15(4):263-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.jhh.1001147.
PubMed 11319675Benson H. The Relaxation Response. New York: Avon Books, 1975
Anderson DE, McNeely JD, Chesney MA, Windham BG. Breathing variability at rest is positively associated with 24-h blood pressure level. Am J Hypertens. 2008 Dec;21(12):1324-9. doi: 10.1038/ajh.2008.292. Epub 2008 Sep 25.
PubMed 18820654Anderson DE, McNeely JD, Windham BG. Regular slow-breathing exercise effects on blood pressure and breathing patterns at rest. J Hum Hypertens. 2010 Dec;24(12):807-13. doi: 10.1038/jhh.2010.18. Epub 2010 Mar 4.
PubMed 20200548
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jul 2017. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Respiratory Adaptations to Behavioral Interventions in Elevated Blood Pressure
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00328016
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AG0067
- Conditions
- High Blood Pressure
- Keywords
- hypertension, high blood pressure, meditation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)US National Institutes of Health
- Study start
- Apr 2006
- Primary completion
- Dec 2009 (actual)
- Study completion
- Dec 2009 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 May 2006 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 2 Jul 2017
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature of the physiological reasons for the decreases in resting blood pressure that can result from systematic practice of computer-guided breathing exercises or meditative relaxation.
Detailed description
In this randomized clinical trial, persons with moderately elevated blood pressure were trained in either computer-guided breathing exercises or meditative relaxation to breathing. The computer-guided breathing exercise involves listening to tones of ascending and descending pitch to which breathing is entrained to low frequencies over a 15 minute interval. The meditative relaxation involves passive attention to natural breathing for the same duration. Participants will perform these breathing exercises daily at home for four weeks. Before and after the intervention, respiratory, cardiovascular, and urinary endogenous digitalis-like factors will be systematically recorded to determine the extent to which chronic neuroendocrine changes underlie the reductions in blood pressure.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Device Guided Breathing | Experimental | Device: RESPeRATEIndividual breathing rate was determined from an expandable band around the torso connected to a commercially available device (RESPeRATE, Lod, Israel) that presented distinctive tones via earphones. |
| Control Group | Placebo comparator | Behavioral: Guided BreathingControl group were instructed to sit in the same manner passively attend to their breathing, and silently repeat 'one' during each exhalation. If other thoughts came to mind, they were instructed to calmly attend to their breathing. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Over 21 years
- Systolic blood pressure 130-160 or diastolic blood pressure 85-100
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- More than one antihypertensive medication
- Beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers
- History of coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, angina or coronary revascularization
- Kidney disease, defined as plasma creatinine > 1.5mg/dL
- Diabetes, defined by insulin or oral hypoglycemic medication or blood sugar > 126mg/dL
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Guided BreathingThe participant will engage in daily 15 min sessions of meditative relaxation that involves quiet attention to breathing pattern with no attempt to manipulate breathing pattern | Behavioural | Control Group |
| RESPeRATEThe participant will be trained to perform a guided breathing task that involves a chest expansion sensor, battery-powered microcomputer, and earphones | Device | Device Guided Breathing |
Primary outcome
Breathing Rate
Time frame: After 15 minutes of guided breathing or control task
Breathing rate was monitored continuously via inductive plethysmography.
2 secondary outcomes
Minute Ventilation
Time frame: After 15 minutes of guided breathing or control task
End Tidal CO2 (PetCO2)
Time frame: After 15 minutes of guided breathing or control task
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jul 2017.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 15062893Meles E, Giannattasio C, Failla M, Gentile G, Capra A, Mancia G. Nonpharmacologic treatment of hypertension by respiratory exercise in the home setting. Am J Hypertens. 2004 Apr;17(4):370-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjhyper.2003.12.009.
- Background: PubMed 15470284Elliot WJ, Izzo JL Jr, White WB, Rosing DR, Snyder CS, Alter A, Gavish B, Black HR. Graded blood pressure reduction in hypertensive outpatients associated with use of a device to assist with slow breathing. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2004 Oct;6(10):553-9; quiz 560-1. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2004.03553.x.
- Background: PubMed 11319675Grossman E, Grossman A, Schein MH, Zimlichman R, Gavish B. Breathing-control lowers blood pressure. J Hum Hypertens. 2001 Apr;15(4):263-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.jhh.1001147.
- BackgroundBenson H. The Relaxation Response. New York: Avon Books, 1975
- Results publication: PubMed 18820654Anderson DE, McNeely JD, Chesney MA, Windham BG. Breathing variability at rest is positively associated with 24-h blood pressure level. Am J Hypertens. 2008 Dec;21(12):1324-9. doi: 10.1038/ajh.2008.292. Epub 2008 Sep 25.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 20200548Anderson DE, McNeely JD, Windham BG. Regular slow-breathing exercise effects on blood pressure and breathing patterns at rest. J Hum Hypertens. 2010 Dec;24(12):807-13. doi: 10.1038/jhh.2010.18. Epub 2010 Mar 4.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. There is no plan to share individual level data.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
William B. Ershler, M.D. principal investigator
NIA, Clinical research Unit
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Guided Breathing and RESPeRATE in people with High Blood Pressure, run by National Institute on Aging (NIA) at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jul 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 2 Jul 2017). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Breathing Rate (time frame: After 15 minutes of guided breathing or control task). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00328016, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jul 2017; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.