AzTrials
AzTrials

Elderly SubjectsPhase 3NCT00969345

Effects of Respiratory Yoga Training on Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex of Healthy Elderly Subjects

A Phase 3 study testing Stretching Exercises and Respiratory Exercises conducted twice a day for 10 minutes in people with Elderly Subjects and Respiration Exercises, run by University of Sao Paulo at 1 site in Brazil.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The decreases of physiological capacities which take place with senescence include diminishing respiratory capacity as well as a reduction of heart rate variability and baroreflex sensibility. Altogether, these alterations increase elderly people's frailty and have a negative impact over quality of life. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 60 to 85 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Elderly Subjects, Respiration Exercises
What is being tested?
Stretching Exercises and Respiratory Exercises conducted twice a day for 10 minutes
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteBrazil
Study dates
Aug 2007to Dec 2008
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 60 to 85 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Health elderly subjects

Who cannot join

  • Use of beta-blockers
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Previous training in respiratory exercises

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Brazil1 site
  • Heart Institute (InCor)

    São Paulo, São Paulo

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

Official title: Effects of Respiratory Yoga Training (Bhastrika) on Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex, and Quality of Life of Healthy Elderly Subjects

The decreases of physiological capacities which take place with senescence include diminishing respiratory capacity as well as a reduction of heart rate variability and baroreflex sensibility. Altogether, these alterations increase elderly people's frailty and have a negative impact over quality of life. Since Yoga (Indian auto-discipline) has a wide range of respiratory exercises already investigated as components for non-pharmacological treatments for hypertension (situation in which heart rate variability is also diminished), the investigators hypothesis is that the training of respiratory exercises of Yoga may have a significant positive effect on heart rate variability and baroreflex of health elderly subjects, increasing quality of life and reducing frailty.

We included 30 health elderly subjects (both sexes, from 60 years-old onwards) divided into 2 randomized experimental groups: control (C) and respiration (R). Each group underwent an entry evaluation, followed by a 4-months training period, after which they were re-evaluated. Control consisted of 2 stretching classes per week, and respiration consisted of 2 respiratory exercises classes a week. Both groups were instructed to perform the exercises at home twice a day, and to keep a record of each session in a log sheet. Evaluations were: WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire for quality of life, 20 minutes of seated rest with heart rate, respiration and blood pressure acquired continuously for further spectral analysis.

Read the detailed description

Heart rate variability was performed using the autoregressive model, and the baroreflex was calculated with the spontaneous approach, both with the softwares developed in Milan by Alberto Porta in a non-invasive way.

The frequency domain analysis of heart rate, respiration and systolic blood pressure were conducted, consisting of calculating the power spectral density with the minimum error predicted by Akaike's algorithm. Spectral power was then subdivided into two bands of physiological interest: low - (LF 0.03-0.15 Hz) indicating predominant sympathetic modulation, and high - (HF 0.15-0.5 Hz) frequency, indicating parasympathetic modulation of the heart. The fraction calculated dividing LF by HF (LF/HF ratio) provided information of sympathovagal balance to the heart. The spectral analysis of Systolic Blood Pressure provided information of the vasomotor tone, and the integration of heart rate information with these data also provided information about the spontaneous baroreflex gain.

Other questionnaires used were: Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Questionnaire, Stress Symptoms Questionnaire by Marilda Lipp - validated in Brazil, and Beck's anxiety and depression inventories.

Being tested
Stretching Exercises, Respiratory Exercises conducted twice a day for 10 minutes
Keywords
Healthy Elderly Subjects, Respiratory Yoga Exercises, Heart Rate Variability, Baroreflex, Quality of Life

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Stretching ExercisesOther

    Conducted twice a week, with instructions for home exercises twice a day, and registering each session on a log sheet.

  • Respiratory Exercises conducted twice a day for 10 minutesOther

    Conducted twice a week, with instructions for home exercises twice a day, and registering each session on a log sheet.

Study groups in NCT00969345
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Control GroupSham comparatorStretching exercises performed twice a day for 10 minutes (4 months)
Receives: Other: Stretching Exercises
Respiration GroupActive comparatorRespiratory Yoga exercises performed twice a day for 10 minutes (4 months)
Receives: Other: Respiratory Exercises conducted twice a day for 10 minutes

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Heart Rate Variability

    Measured: 4 months

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. baroreflex gain

    Measured: 4 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted1 Sep 2009 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2007
  3. Primary completionJul 2008
  4. Study completionDec 2008

Resources

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 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
30 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00969345
Sponsor's protocol ID
RESP-HRV
Status last verified
Aug 2009
First submitted
31 Aug 2009
Last updated
1 Sep 2009
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Santaella DF, Devesa CR, Rojo MR, Amato MB, Drager LF, Casali KR, Montano N, Lorenzi-Filho G. Yoga respiratory training improves respiratory function and cardiac sympathovagal balance in elderly subjects: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2011 May 24;1(1):e000085. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000085.

    PubMed 22021757

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Stretching Exercises and Respiratory Exercises conducted twice a day for 10 minutes in people with Elderly Subjects and Respiration Exercises, run by University of Sao Paulo at 1 site in Brazil.

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 1 inclusion and 3 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 1 Sep 2009. 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 Brazil. 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.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

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?

Heart Rate Variability (time frame: 4 months). 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 NCT00969345, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 1 Sep 2009.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in