Additional Effects of Pilates Breathing and Diaphragmatic Breathing Combined With Moderate Intensity Continuous Treadmill Training on Blood Pressure, Chest Expansion, Pulmonary Function and Quality Of Life in Pre-hypertensive Patients

NCT07529821 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: FUCP/CTR/2026/02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Pre-hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure between 120-139mmHg or diastolic blood pressure between 80-89mmHg and is considered a risk factor for developing hypertension. Early lifestyle interventions such as aerobic exercise and breathing techniques may help prevent progression to hypertension. This randomised controlled trial aims to determine the additional effects of pilates breathing and diaphragmatic breathing combined with moderate-intensity continuous treadmill training on blood pressure, chest expansion, pulmonary function and quality of life in pre-hypertensive patients. A total of 45 participants will be randomly allocated into three groups: treadmill training with pilates breathing, tredmill training with diaphragmtic brething and treadmill training alone. The intervention will be conducted for 6 weeks. Outcome measures including blood pressure, pulmonary function, chest expansion and quality of life will be assesed before and after the intervention.

Conditions

PRE-HYPERTENSION

Keywords

Pre-hypertension; Pilates Breathing; Diaphragmatic Breathing; Treadmill training; Pulmonary Function; Chest expansion; Quality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Blood Pressure (SBP and DBP)

  Evaluation will be performed using an sphygmomanometer. Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) will be recorded in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) under standardized conditions after adequate rest in a seated position. Blood pressure values will be recorded as continuous variables. Higher values indicate worse cardiovascular status, while lower values indicate improvement in blood pressure control.

  06 weeks

• Chest Expansion

  Evaluation will be performed by measuring chest expansion using a measuring tape at three anatomical levels: axillary, nipple, and xiphoid. Measurements will be taken as the difference (in centimeters, cm) between maximum chest circumference at full inspiration and at full expiration at each level. Higher values indicate greater chest wall mobility and improved respiratory function, whereas lower values indicate restricted chest expansion.

  06 weeks

• Pulmonary Function Test

  Evaluation will be performed using a spirometer machine in accordance with standard guidelines. The parameters assessed will include Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and FEV₁/FVC ratio. Values will be recorded in liters (L) and as percentage of predicted values (%) based on age, sex, height, and ethnicity. Higher values of FEV₁ and FVC indicate better pulmonary function, while a higher FEV₁/FVC ratio indicates reduced airway obstruction and improved respiratory status.

  06 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Treadmill training with Pilates breathing

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform moderate-intensity continuous treadmill training combined with pilates breathing exercises three times per week for six weeks.

Other: Pilates Breathing

Treadmill training with diaphragmatic breathing

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform moderate-intensity continuous treadmill training combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises three times per week for six weeks.

Other: Diaphragmatic Breathing

Treadmill training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will perform moderate-intensity continuous treadmill training only, three times per week for six weeks.

Other: Treadmill Training (Moderate-intensity continuous training)

Interventions

Pilates Breathing OTHER

Controlled lateral breathing technique focusing on rib cage expansion and core activation performed for 10-15 minutes, with low intensity, the perceived effort should be 3-4/10, with 3 days/week. A 06 weeks protocol will be followed. Steps: Patient in neutral spine position and hands placed on rib cage and abdomen. Inhale deeply expanding the ribs laterally. Exhale drawing the navel inward to engage core muscles.

Treadmill training with Pilates breathing

Diaphragmatic Breathing OTHER

Slow deep breathing emphasizing diaphragmatic movement performed for 10-15 minutes, with low intensity, the perceived effort should be 3-4/10, with 3 days/week. A 06 weeks protocol will be followed. Steps: Patient in supine or in seated position. Place one hand on chest and one below the ribs. Inhale slowly through the nose expanding the abdomen. Exhale through pursed lips, allowing the abdomen to fall inward and chest should remain still.

Treadmill training with diaphragmatic breathing

Treadmill Training (Moderate-intensity continuous training) OTHER

70% of maximum heart rate for 20-35 minutes, three sessions per week for six weeks.

Treadmill training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Prehypertensive individuals (SBP 120-139 mmHg or DBP 80-89 mmHg)
• Age 20-55 years
• Both male and female
• Sedentary individuals according to IPAQ
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg)
• Cardiopulmonary diseases (COPD, asthma, CAD, heart failure)
• Musculoskeletal conditions preventing exercise
• Neurological disorders
• Pregnancy
• Participation in structured exercise in last 3 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University Islamabad

Islamabad, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Prehypertension

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Iqra Zahid, MSPT-CPT

CONTACT

03310174987; iqrazahid31801@gmail.com

Sana Bashir, PhD*

CONTACT

+923218529475; drsana.bashir@fui.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This is a randomized controlled trial having three groups. One group (interventional group) will receive Pilates breathing along with moderate-intensity continuous treadmill training, and the second group (experimental group) will perform diaphragmatic breathing along with moderate-intensity continuous treadmill training, and the third group (control group) will perform only moderate-intensity continuous treadmill training.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 27, 2026
• First Posted: April 14, 2026
• Study Start: February 28, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2026
• Study Completion: May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: April 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

PA (1)