HypertensionNCT07664774
Effects of Resonant Breathing on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and Perceived Stress
A study testing Resonant breathing in people with Hypertension, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Hypertension remains a significant global health challenge, often requiring lifelong management. While pharmacological treatments are standard, there is increasing interest in non-pharmacological interventions like resonant breathing. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 30 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Hypertension
- What is being tested?
- Resonant breathing
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 17 Apr 2025to 17 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 30 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults age 30-65 years
- Patients with hypertension stage I
- Patients with no serious comorbidities
- Not currently in any breathing therapy or rehabilitation programs
Who cannot join
- Age under 30 or over 65
- Patients with severe hypertension (stage II or III)
- Patients with serious comorbidities
- Patients taking medicines affecting blood pressure or heart rate
- Current use of tobacco or materials that may have an effect on blood pressure or stress level
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Hypertension remains a significant global health challenge, often requiring lifelong management. While pharmacological treatments are standard, there is increasing interest in non-pharmacological interventions like resonant breathing. This technique, characterized by slow, rhythmic breathing at 4.5-7 breaths per minute, is thought to lower blood pressure by enhancing parasympathetic activity and restoring autonomic balance.
Read the detailed description
This study is a randomized, parallel-group controlled trial conducted in community rehabilitation centers in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 50 participants diagnosed with stage I hypertension will be enrolled and allocated into two groups using a computer-generated randomization sequence with allocation concealment.
Participants in both groups will undergo standard physiotherapy consisting of general warm-up exercises and stretching, performed under supervision three times per week for eight weeks. The intervention group will additionally receive resonant breathing training, delivered as a structured breathing exercise performed for approximately 20 minutes per session.
Resonant breathing is a slow-paced breathing technique performed at approximately 4.5-7 breaths per minute with equal inhalation and exhalation phases. It is intended to improve autonomic balance by enhancing parasympathetic activity and reducing sympathetic nervous system dominance, thereby potentially improving cardiovascular and psychological outcomes.
Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline and after 8 weeks. Primary outcomes include systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived stress.
Blood pressure and heart rate will be measured using a validated automated digital sphygmomanometer. Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).
Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS version 26. Within-group comparisons will be analyzed using paired t-tests, while between-group comparisons will be assessed using independent t-tests. Effect size will be calculated using Cohen's d, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
- Conditions
- Hypertension
- Being tested
- Resonant breathing
- Keywords
- Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Hypertension, Perceived Stress Resonant Breathing
- Medical subject headings
- Hypertension
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Resonant breathingCombination product
Resonant breathing, or Coherent Breathing, is a slow, rhythmic technique focusing on equal inhales and exhales (often 5-6 seconds each) to calm the nervous system, improve heart rate variability (HRV), and reduce stress by aligning breath with heart rhythms.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Group A: Will undergo a traditional physical therapy exercise program along with an eight-week resonant breathing program, with 20 minutes of supervised practice, three times a week. Receives: Combination Product: Resonant breathing |
| Control group | Placebo comparator | Group B: Will continue with the baseline physiotherapy intervention (general warm-up exercises and stretching) throughout the study period, with no resonant breathing or specific breathing exercises included. Receives: Combination Product: Resonant breathing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure will be measured using a cuff wrapped around your upper arm.
Measured: 8 week
heart rate
To measure heart rate, find your pulse on your wrist or neck, count beats for 15 or 30 seconds, then multiply to get beats per minute (bpm)
Measured: 8 week
perceived stress
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scoring involves answering 10 (or 14/4) questions on a 0 (never) to 4 (very often) scale, then reversing scores for specific items (4, 5, 7, 8 for PSS-10) before summing them to get a total score (0-40 for PSS-10), with higher scores meaning more perceived stress, generally falling into low (0-13), moderate (14-26), and high (27-40) categories, though it's a self-assessment tool, not a diagnostic one.
Measured: 8 week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Jun 2026
- Study start17 Apr 2025
- Primary completion17 Dec 2025
- Study completion17 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HypertensionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Model description
- 2
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Maryum Khan, MS, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07664774
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Syeda Fatima Zaheer Rizvi
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Spruill TM. Chronic psychosocial stress and hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2010 Feb;12(1):10-6. doi: 10.1007/s11906-009-0084-8.
PubMed 20425153Scott SB, Whitehead BR, Bergeman CS, Pitzer L. Combinations of stressors in midlife: examining role and domain stressors using regression trees and random forests. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013 May;68(3):464-75. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbs166. Epub 2013 Jan 22.
PubMed 23341437
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Resonant Breathing on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and Perceived Stress
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07664774
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Syeda Fatima Zaheer Rizvi
- Conditions
- Hypertension
- Keywords
- Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Hypertension, Perceived Stress Resonant Breathing
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Hypertension remains a significant global health challenge, often requiring lifelong management. While pharmacological treatments are standard, there is increasing interest in non-pharmacological interventions like resonant breathing. This technique, characterized by slow, rhythmic breathing at 4.5-7 breaths per minute, is thought to lower blood pressure by enhancing parasympathetic activity and restoring autonomic balance.
Detailed description
This study is a randomized, parallel-group controlled trial conducted in community rehabilitation centers in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 50 participants diagnosed with stage I hypertension will be enrolled and allocated into two groups using a computer-generated randomization sequence with allocation concealment.
Participants in both groups will undergo standard physiotherapy consisting of general warm-up exercises and stretching, performed under supervision three times per week for eight weeks. The intervention group will additionally receive resonant breathing training, delivered as a structured breathing exercise performed for approximately 20 minutes per session.
Resonant breathing is a slow-paced breathing technique performed at approximately 4.5-7 breaths per minute with equal inhalation and exhalation phases. It is intended to improve autonomic balance by enhancing parasympathetic activity and reducing sympathetic nervous system dominance, thereby potentially improving cardiovascular and psychological outcomes.
Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline and after 8 weeks. Primary outcomes include systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived stress.
Blood pressure and heart rate will be measured using a validated automated digital sphygmomanometer. Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).
Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS version 26. Within-group comparisons will be analyzed using paired t-tests, while between-group comparisons will be assessed using independent t-tests. Effect size will be calculated using Cohen's d, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Combination Product: Resonant breathingGroup A: Will undergo a traditional physical therapy exercise program along with an eight-week resonant breathing program, with 20 minutes of supervised practice, three times a week. |
| Control group | Placebo comparator | Combination Product: Resonant breathingGroup B: Will continue with the baseline physiotherapy intervention (general warm-up exercises and stretching) throughout the study period, with no resonant breathing or specific breathing exercises included. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 30 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adults age 30-65 years
- Patients with hypertension stage I
- Patients with no serious comorbidities
- Not currently in any breathing therapy or rehabilitation programs
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age under 30 or over 65
- Patients with severe hypertension (stage II or III)
- Patients with serious comorbidities
- Patients taking medicines affecting blood pressure or heart rate
- Current use of tobacco or materials that may have an effect on blood pressure or stress level
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Resonant breathingResonant breathing, or Coherent Breathing, is a slow, rhythmic technique focusing on equal inhales and exhales (often 5-6 seconds each) to calm the nervous system, improve heart rate variability (HRV), and reduce stress by aligning breath with heart rhythms. | Combination product | Control group, Experimental Group |
Primary outcome
Blood pressure
Time frame: 8 week
Blood pressure will be measured using a cuff wrapped around your upper arm.
heart rate
Time frame: 8 week
To measure heart rate, find your pulse on your wrist or neck, count beats for 15 or 30 seconds, then multiply to get beats per minute (bpm)
perceived stress
Time frame: 8 week
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scoring involves answering 10 (or 14/4) questions on a 0 (never) to 4 (very often) scale, then reversing scores for specific items (4, 5, 7, 8 for PSS-10) before summing them to get a total score (0-40 for PSS-10), with higher scores meaning more perceived stress, generally falling into low (0-13), moderate (14-26), and high (27-40) categories, though it's a self-assessment tool, not a diagnostic one.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 20425153Spruill TM. Chronic psychosocial stress and hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2010 Feb;12(1):10-6. doi: 10.1007/s11906-009-0084-8.
- Background: PubMed 23341437Scott SB, Whitehead BR, Bergeman CS, Pitzer L. Combinations of stressors in midlife: examining role and domain stressors using regression trees and random forests. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013 May;68(3):464-75. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbs166. Epub 2013 Jan 22.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Maryum Khan, MS principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Resonant breathing in people with Hypertension, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 4 inclusion and 5 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 24 Jun 2026. 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 Pakistan. 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?
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?
Blood pressure (time frame: 8 week). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT07664774, which also lists 2 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 24 Jun 2026.