BACKGROUND: Regular slow breathing is known to improve autonomic cardiac regulation and reduce chemoreflex sensitivity in heart failure. We explored the acceptability and usefulness of a device for paced slow breathing at the home setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this open pilot study, 24 patients with chronic heart failure (61% males, mean age, 64+/-9 years; New York Heart Association class, 2.81+/-0.01) were randomized to a control group receiving conventional treatment (n=12) or to a group receiving conventional treatment and device-guided paced breathing (n=12). Groups were comparable for age, therapies, and clinical characteristics. They were evaluated at baseline and again after 10 weeks by Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary stress test, and quality of life (Minnesota Quality of Life questionnaire). The treatment group was instructed to use the equipment for 18 minutes twice daily. The device is a computerized box connected to a belt-type respiration sensor and to headphones; it generates musical tones (based on the user's breathing rate and inspiration ratio), which guide the user to progressively and effortlessly slow his or her breathing rate <10 breaths/min. The treatment group showed high compliance to the device (90% of the prescribed sessions were completed). Blinded analysis of data demonstrated increased ejection fraction and decreased estimated pulmonary pressure in the echocardiograms of the treated group versus controls and favorable changes in New York Heart Association class, Ve/Vco(2), FEV(1), and a quality of life measure, as well (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot investigation demonstrates that device-guided paced breathing at home is feasible and results in an improvement in clinically relevant parameters for patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction.

Parati, G., Malfatto, G., Boarin, S., Branzi, G., Caldara, G., Giglio, A., et al. (2008). Device-guided paced breathing in the home setting. Effects on exercise capacity, pulmonary and ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure: a pilot study. CIRCULATION. HEART FAILURE, 1(3), 178-183 [10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.108.772640].

Device-guided paced breathing in the home setting. Effects on exercise capacity, pulmonary and ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure: a pilot study

PARATI, GIANFRANCO;BILO, GRZEGORZ;MANCIA, GIUSEPPE
2008

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Regular slow breathing is known to improve autonomic cardiac regulation and reduce chemoreflex sensitivity in heart failure. We explored the acceptability and usefulness of a device for paced slow breathing at the home setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this open pilot study, 24 patients with chronic heart failure (61% males, mean age, 64+/-9 years; New York Heart Association class, 2.81+/-0.01) were randomized to a control group receiving conventional treatment (n=12) or to a group receiving conventional treatment and device-guided paced breathing (n=12). Groups were comparable for age, therapies, and clinical characteristics. They were evaluated at baseline and again after 10 weeks by Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary stress test, and quality of life (Minnesota Quality of Life questionnaire). The treatment group was instructed to use the equipment for 18 minutes twice daily. The device is a computerized box connected to a belt-type respiration sensor and to headphones; it generates musical tones (based on the user's breathing rate and inspiration ratio), which guide the user to progressively and effortlessly slow his or her breathing rate <10 breaths/min. The treatment group showed high compliance to the device (90% of the prescribed sessions were completed). Blinded analysis of data demonstrated increased ejection fraction and decreased estimated pulmonary pressure in the echocardiograms of the treated group versus controls and favorable changes in New York Heart Association class, Ve/Vco(2), FEV(1), and a quality of life measure, as well (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot investigation demonstrates that device-guided paced breathing at home is feasible and results in an improvement in clinically relevant parameters for patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
exercise, pace
English
2008
1
3
178
183
none
Parati, G., Malfatto, G., Boarin, S., Branzi, G., Caldara, G., Giglio, A., et al. (2008). Device-guided paced breathing in the home setting. Effects on exercise capacity, pulmonary and ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure: a pilot study. CIRCULATION. HEART FAILURE, 1(3), 178-183 [10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.108.772640].
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/16871
Citazioni
  • Scopus 43
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 42
Social impact