Background
People with PAH report increased dyspnea, fatigue and sleep disturbance that can impair health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Conclusions
In this pilot study, slow-paced respiration therapy is feasible in patients with PAH and may improve symptoms and lower IL-6.
Methods
Ten women with PAH received 8-weeks of daily, 15 min sessions using slow-paced respiration therapy via the RESPeRATE™ device. Participants had baseline and follow up assessments including plasma norepinephrine and interleukin-6 (IL-6), self-report questionnaires to measure dyspnea, fatigue, depressive symptoms, sleep and HRQOL along with 7-day actigraphy and sleep diaries.
Objective
To determine the feasibility of using slow-paced respiration therapy to treat symptoms in women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Background: People with PAH report increased dyspnea, fatigue and sleep disturbance that can impair health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Results
The mean age was 50 years. Adherence to the intervention was 92%. There was decrease in median IL-6 levels [1.3 ± 0.5 to 1.1 ± 0.4, 95% CI (0.03-0.43)] over the study period. Sleep disturbance decreased, depressive symptoms decreased and HRQOL scores decreased (higher scores indicate worse HRQOL). Conclusions: In this pilot study, slow-paced respiration therapy is feasible in patients with PAH and may improve symptoms and lower IL-6.