Ver. 1.0 Developing a Breathing Practice for Dysautonomia in PoTS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a Slow-Paced Breathing Practice for Treating Dysautonomia Symptoms within Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) Patients
IRAS ID
254616
Contact name
Mitchell Hogg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
PoTS is an autonomic condition characterised by a drastic increase in heart rate when patients adjust from a supine-to-upright posture (Raj, 2006). The symptoms of PoTS, which includes brain fog, insomnia and feelings of panic sensations, severely impact upon patients’ quality of life and daily functioning (Raj, Opie & Arnold, 2018). Recent works have suggested that slow-paced breathing interventions, which “soothe” autonomic activity, may be capable of relieving patients’ pathophysiological symptoms (Kromenacker et al., 2018). However, there is a lack of research which has attempted to investigate the effects of breathing practices in relation to PoTS.
The project wishes to tailor an existing of a slow-paced breathing practice, with the aim of testing its feasibility and acceptability in a PoTS population. In particular, this project will emphasise the importance of working alongside both patients and healthcare professionals who treat this disorder. By collecting feedback from these stakeholders, we will aim to design and adapt the breathing technique for the specific needs of the patient group.
During this stage 1.1 of the project we will employ a patient-centred approach to develop the breathing technique. Through a series of focus group & interviews, PoTS patients (currently receiving treatment at North-East England CRESTA fatigue clinic) will be first be invited to observe the breathing technique and asked to provide their thoughts on this practice. Within stage 1.2, we will then aim to refine the breathing intervention by collecting additional feedback from healthcare professionals (those working within the fatigue clinic, and GPs & practice nurses working within the local area) to ensure the technique can be safely administered to the patient group. A final round of focus group & interviews will then be conducted with patients to finalise changes to the technique and to address any remaining issues (stage 1.3).
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1078
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion