Additional Effect of Coherent Breathing With Aerobic Exercise on Cardiopulmonary Parameters and Quality of Life in Stage 1 Hypertensive Individuals

This study will use a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the added effects of coherent breathing combined with aerobic exercise versus aerobic exercise alone in 40 adults aged 30-65 with stage 1 hypertension. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group (aerobic exercise plus coherent breathing) or a control group (aerobic exercise only) and will undergo a 4-week program with 5 sessions per week.

Cardiopulmonary parameters-including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and rate pressure product-will be measured, and quality of life will be assessed using the MINICHAL questionnaire at baseline, 2 weeks, and post-intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.

The study aims to determine whether coherent breathing provides additional benefits, offering a cost-effective, non-pharmacological strategy for hypertension management in low-resource settings.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Stage 1 Hypertensives
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Aerobic Exercises; Other: Coherent Breathing.

Detailed Description

Hypertension, also known as high or raised blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure. A normal reading is less than 120 millimeters of mercury over less than 80 millimeters of mercury. Hypertension is a prevalent condition affecting approximately 1.28 billion individuals globally, with a significant burden observed in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. Stage 1 hypertension is defined by a systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 130-139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 80-89 mmHg. High blood pressure causes no signs or symptoms, which is why healthcare providers call it a "silent killer." Non-pharmacological interventions, including aerobic exercise and breathing techniques, have shown promise in improving cardiopulmonary function and quality of life.

Coherent breathing is a controlled breathing technique that involves inhaling and exhaling at a steady, slow pace-typically around five to six breaths per minute, with each inhale and exhale lasting about six seconds. This study aims to evaluate the additional effects of coherent breathing techniques when combined with aerobic exercise, compared to aerobic exercise alone. A randomized controlled trial design will be employed. The study will be conducted over a period of 1 year at Foundation University College of Physical Therapy and Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi. Ethical approval will be obtained from ERC FUMC and IRC, and the trial will be registered with CBRC and the clinical trial registry. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.

This study will fill a critical gap in the literature by assessing the additive benefits of coherent breathing in hypertension management. The findings may support cost-effective, non-pharmacological strategies in low-resource settings, contributing to improved public health outcomes

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Kainat Zahra, MSPT-CPPT; Phone Number: 03367343005; Email: zahrakainat99@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Syeda Sumaira Batool, MSPT-CPT; Phone Number: 03328868680; Email: sumaira.batool@fui.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Islamabad, Pakistan
    • Recruiting
    • Foundation University Islamabad
    • Contact: Syeda Sumaira Batool, MSPT-CPT; Phone Number: 03328868680; Email: sumaira.batool@fui.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both male and female genders.
• Adults aged 30-65 years.
• Patients diagnosed with stage 1 hypertension 130-139/80-89mm Hg according to ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines.
• Mild to moderate physical activity level on IPAQ questionnaire.
• Individuals able to understand and follow the instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed uncontrolled hypertensive patients.
• Unstable angina, MI, heart failure, advanced CAD patients, COPD, Asthma.
• Severe neurological, musculoskeletal or gynecological conditions which limit participation in the study.
• Recent history of fracture.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Aerobic Exercises; This Group performs aerobic exercises as follows: Week 1-2 Warm up exercises for 5 minutes. Brisk walking on treadmill-for 15 minutes was included warm up period for 5 minutes then 9 minutes brisk walk and cool down period included 1 minute walk. Stepper for 2 minutes. Static cycling for 3 minutes. Cool down for 5 minutes. Perform simple breathing for 10 minutes. FREQUENCY: 5 days / week INTENSITY: 50 - 60% THR TIME: 40 minutes TYPE: Aerobic exercises & simple breathing Week 3-4 Warm up exercises for 5 minutes. Brisk walking on treadmill-for 15 minutes was included warm up period for 5 minutes then 9 minutes brisk walk and cool down period included 1 minute walk. Stepper for 2 minutes. Static cycling for 3 minutes. Cool down for 5 minutes. Perform simple breathing exercies for 10 minutes. FREQUENCY: 5 days / week INTENSITY: 60 - 80% THR TIME: 40 minutes TYPE: Aerobic exercises & simple breathing. A total of 20 sessions Five days per week for 4 weeks.	Other: Aerobic Exercises; Aerobic Exercises involving brisk walking, warm up, stepper, static cycling, cool down for a periof of 30 min.
Experimental: Aerobic Exercises with coherent breathing; This group performs aerobic exercises combined with coherent breathing technique. Week 1-2 Warm up exercises for 5 minutes. Brisk walking on treadmill-for 15 minutes was included warm up period for 5 minutes then 9 minutes brisk walk and cool down period included 1 minute walk. Stepper for 2 minutes. Static cycling for 3 minutes. Cool down for 5 minutes. Perform coherent breathing technique for 10 min. FREQUENCY: 5 days / week INTENSITY: 50 - 60% THR TIME: 30 minutes TYPE: Aerobic exercises. Coherent Breathing technique for 10 minutes. TOTAL DURATION: 40 minutes Week 3-4 Warm up exercises for 5 minutes. Brisk walking on treadmill-for 15 minutes was included warm up period for 5 minutes then 9 minutes brisk walk and cool down period included 1 minute walk. Stepper for 2 minutes. Static cycling for 3 minutes. Cool down for 5 minutes. Perform coherent breathing technique for 10 min. FREQUENCY: 5 days / week INTENSITY: 60 - 80% THR TIME: 30 minutes TYPE: Aerobic exercises	Other: Coherent Breathing.; Coherent breathing technique involve consciously reducing the breathing rate, typically to fewer than 10 breaths per minute, often around 6 breaths per minute. Coherent breathing is performed for 10 minutes. Aerobic Exercises involving brisk walking, warm up, stepper, static cycling, cool down for a period of 30 min.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Heart Rate (beats per minute)	Measured using calibrated digital monitor after 5 minutes rest at baseline and post-intervention.	04 weeks
Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg)	Measured using standardized sphygmomanometer at baseline and post-intervention.	04 weeks
Diastolic Blood Pressure (mmHg)	Measured using standardized sphygmomanometer at baseline and post-intervention.	04 weeks
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂, %)	Measured using pulse oximeter under resting conditions at baseline and post-intervention.	04 weeks
Respiratory Rate (breaths/minute)	Measured by direct observation at baseline and post-intervention.	04 weeks
Rate Pressure Product (HR × SBP)	Calculated from heart rate and systolic blood pressure at baseline and post-intervention as an index of myocardial workload.	04 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Foundation University Islamabad

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 28, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 1, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 7, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 1, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Quality of life; Breathing; Aerobic Exercises; Stage 1 Hypertensives; Cardiopulmonary parameters; Coherent breathing technique
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Respiratory Aspiration; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Exercise
• Other Study ID Numbers: FUCP/CTR/2026/06

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No