Slow and deep breathing to lower blood pressure in PIH
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of slow and deep breathing (SDB) on reducing obstetric intervention in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH): A feasibility study
IRAS ID
251062
Contact name
Malika Felton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bournemouth University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 24 days
Research summary
Introduction: High blood pressure during pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension; PIH) is the second most common direct cause of maternal death worldwide. In the UK 12-15% of pregnancies are complicated by PIH. The only cure for PIH is to give birth and therefore treatments that can delay the requirement to give birth preterm are required. Many women are reluctant to take medications during pregnancy and therefore there is an urgent need for new and alternative methods of treating PIH. Slow and deep breathing (SDB) has produced promising results in treating blood pressure in other groups with hypertension. However, because of the effects pregnancy has on breathing, which may contribute to PIH, SDB may be more effective on PIH than other types of hypertension.
Aim: The study will investigate the feasibility of using SDB to lower blood pressure in women who have PIH and investigate the short-term physiological responses to SDB.
Recruitment: Women will be identified from the Antenatal Day Assessment Unit at Poole Hospital. They will attend 1 session at Bournemouth University where informed consent will be received.
Intervention: Participants will complete 10 minutes of SDB (6 breaths per minute) every day until birth. They will use a video aid to guide their breathing, where they breathe in time with the graphic as it rises and falls. Participants will monitor their blood pressure daily using an automated monitor. At 36 weeks gestation participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their experiences of the intervention.
Short-term responses: Participants will complete 4 bouts of 5-minute breathing, breathing at 4, 6 and 8 breaths per minute and breathing normally. Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate will be recorded continuously.
Outcomes: Data to inform the design of future randomised control trials with pregnant women that are powered adequately for the key outcome measures.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0510
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion