Mat Pilates With Paced Breathing Versus Diaphragmatic Breathing in Stage II Hypertension

NCT07433790 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UOL/IREB/25/12/0004
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 63
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of mat Pilates combined with paced breathing versus mat Pilates combined with diaphragmatic breathing on stress, anxiety, cardiopulmonary endurance, dyspnea, and quality of life in patients with Stage II hypertension. Participants will be recruited from the Physiotherapy Department of the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital. Outcome measures will include DASS-21, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and SF-12 Health Survey. The intervention will be conducted three times per week for six weeks.

Conditions

Hypertension; Stage II Hypertension; Essential Hypertension

Keywords

Mat Pilates; Paced Breathing; Diaphragmatic Breathing; Breathing Exercises; Cardiopulmonary Endurance; 6-Minute Walk Test

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Stress and Anxiety Levels (DASS-21)

  Stress and anxiety levels will be assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale - 21 items (DASS-21). Each subscale consists of 7 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = Did not apply to me at all to 3 = Applied to me very much or most of the time). Scores are multiplied by 2 to calculate final subscale scores. Higher scores indicate greater psychological distress.

  Baseline and at 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Cardiopulmonary Endurance (6-Minute Walk Test)

  Baseline and at 6 weeks

• Dyspnea Severity (Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale)

  Baseline and at 6 weeks

• Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-12)

  Baseline and at 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Mat Pilates + Paced Breathing

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will receive a supervised mat Pilates program combined with paced breathing exercises, performed three times per week on alternate days for six weeks. Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes.

Behavioral: Paced Breathing

Mat Pilates + Diaphragmatic Breathing

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will receive a supervised mat Pilates program combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises, performed three times per week on alternate days for six weeks. Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes.

Other: Mat Pilates

Interventions

Mat Pilates OTHER

Standardized mat-based Pilates exercises focusing on breathing control, core stability, postural alignment, flexibility, and strengthening. Sessions will be supervised and conducted three times per week on alternate days for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes.

Mat Pilates + Diaphragmatic Breathing

Paced Breathing BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform paced breathing exercises using a controlled respiratory rate guided by therapist instruction during sessions. Paced breathing will be integrated with mat Pilates sessions, three times per week for six weeks.

Mat Pilates + Paced Breathing

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 40 to 50 years
• Clinically diagnosed Stage II hypertension confirmed by a qualified healthcare provider
• On a stable antihypertensive medication regimen for at least 4 weeks
• Moderate dyspnea levels as measured by the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale
• Not currently participating in any structured exercise or rehabilitation program
• Able to understand instructions and complete questionnaires
• Willing to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Uncontrolled hypertension (e.g., blood pressure greater than 180/110 mmHg)
• History of recent cardiovascular events (e.g., myocardial infarction within the past 6 months)
• Severe neurological or musculoskeletal disorders limiting mobility
• Severe anxiety or stress requiring psychiatric intervention
• Severe cognitive impairment or communication barriers
• Currently enrolled in another clinical trial or structured wellness program
• Any medical contraindication to physical activity as advised by a physician

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Lahore Teaching Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (8)

• Batista, J. P., Tavares, J. B., Goncalves, L. F., de Souza, T. C. F., Mariano, I. M., Amaral, A. L., Rodrigues, M. d. L., Matias, L. A. S., Magalhaes Resende, A. P., & Puga, G. M. (2022). Mat Pilates training reduces blood pressure in both well-controlled hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women: a controlled clinical trial study. Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, 44(6), 548-556.

  BACKGROUND

• Bartolain, T. (2024). Short-Term Pilates Exercise Intervention and Its Impact on Functional Movement in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults.

  BACKGROUND

• Balban, M. Y., Neri, E., Kogon, M. M., Weed, L., Nouriani, B., Jo, B., Holl, G., Zeitzer, J. M., Spiegel, D., & Huberman, A. D. (2023). Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal. Cell Reports Medicine, 4(1).

  BACKGROUND

• BAKIR, N., VURAL, P. I., & DEMİR, C. (2024). The Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise on Hot Flashes in Menopausal Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Gümüshane Üniversitesi Saglik Bilimleri Dergisi, 13(3).

  BACKGROUND

• Amaral, A. L., Batista, J., Goncalves, L., Tavares, J., Souza, T. C., Mariano, I., Rodrigues, M., Junior, J. C., Araujo, K., & Ribeiro, P. (2021). EFFECTS OF MAT PILATES TRAINING ON BODY COMPOSITION AND CARDIOMETABOLIC MARKERS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH MULTIMORBIDITY. Journal of hypertension, 39, e416-e417.

  BACKGROUND

• Almeida, I. d. S., Andrade, L. d. S., Sousa, A. M. M. d., Junior, G. C., Catai, A. M., Mota, Y. L., & Durigan, J. L. Q. (2022). Is the combination of aerobic exercise with Mat Pilates better than Mat Pilates training alone on autonomic modulation related to functional outcomes in hypertensive women? Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 10577.

  BACKGROUND

• Akpama, T. G. (2024). Study on the influence of socioeconomic factors on hypertension prevalence.

  BACKGROUND

• Adawiyah, R., & Sinaga, W. (2024). HUBUNGAN GENETIK DAN USIA DENGAN PENYAKIT HIPERTENSI DI PUSKESMAS PASAR MINGGU JAKARTA SELATAN. Mayapada Nursing Journal, 1(1), 15-20.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hypertension; Essential Hypertension

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants and care providers will not be blinded due to the nature of the interventions.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctor of Physical Therapy Student

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups to receive either mat Pilates combined with paced breathing or mat Pilates combined with diaphragmatic breathing for six weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 19, 2026
• First Posted: February 25, 2026
• Study Start: September 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 15, 2025
• Study Completion: November 18, 2025
• Last Updated: February 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)