Effects of Alternate Nostril Breathing Versus Diaphragmatic Breathing on Oxygen Saturation and Heart-rate Variability in Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients

NCT07867457 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: SoniaJahangirCPT/FUCP-27
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is a two-arm randomized parallel group trial designed to compare the effects of alternate nostril breathing vs diaphragmatic breathing on oxygen saturation and Heart-rate variability in hemodynamically stable post-PCI patients. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to alternate nostril breathing or diaphragmatic breathing and will receive the allocated intervention for 2 consecutive days with three supervised sessions per day in addition to routine post-PCI care. Oxygen saturation will be assessed using a pulse oximeter and heart-rate variability will be assessed using a Polar H10 sensor at baseline and after the intervention. The study will determine whether there is a difference between two breathing interventions in the prescribed outcome measures.

Conditions

Oxygen Saturation; Heart Rate

Keywords

Oxygen saturation; heart-rate

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Oxygen saturation

  Change in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) from baseline to the specified post-intervention assessment time point, measured using a pulse oximeter. Oxygen saturation will be recorded as a percentage (%) and compared between baseline and post-intervention measurements.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-day intervention period.

• Change in Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

  Change in heart rate variability from baseline to the specified post-intervention assessment time point, assessed using a validated heart rate/ECG monitoring device. Heart rate variability will be evaluated using predefined HRV parameters, such as time-domain and/or frequency-domain measures, as applicable to the study protocol.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-day intervention period.

Study Arms (2)

Alternate Nostril breathing Group A

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this group will perform alternate nostril breathing under physiotherapist supervision in addition to routine post-PCI care. Participants will sit comfortably with spine straight and shoulders relaxed. The right nostril will be closed with the right thumb and inhalation will be performed through the left nostril. The left nostril will then be closed with the right ring finger ,the right nostril released and exhalation performed through the right nostril. The sequence will then be reversed, completing one cycle. Post-PCI Day 0:3supervised sessions/day, approximately 15 minutes/session, 10 repetitions. Post-PCI Day-1 :3 sessions/day approximately 20 minutes/sessions, 15 repetitions.

Behavioral: Alternate Nostril Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing Group B

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this group will perform diaphragmatic breathing under physiotherapist supervision in addition to routine post-PCI care. The participant will lie supine or sit upright with the back supported, with one hand on the upper chest and the other on the abdomen below the rib cage. The participant will inhale slowly through the nose while allowing the abdomen to rise and then exhale slowly through pursed lips while allowing the abdomen to fall. Post-PCI Day 0 : 3 sessions/day approximately 15mins/session,10 repetitions. Post-PCI Day 1 :3 supervised sessions/day approximately 20 minutes/session, 15 repetitions.

Other: Diaphragmatic breathing

Interventions

Alternate Nostril Breathing BEHAVIORAL

Non-pharmacological breathing interventions administered under physiotherapist supervision for 2 consecutive days with three sessions per day in addition to routine post-PCI care.

Alternate Nostril breathing Group A

Diaphragmatic breathing OTHER

Participants assigned to this group will perform diaphragmatic breathing under physiotherapist supervision in addition to routine post-PCI care. The participant will lie supine or sit upright with the back supported, with one hand on the upper chest and the other on the abdomen below the rib cage. The participant will inhale slowly through the nose while allowing the abdomen to rise and then exhale slowly through pursed lips while allowing the abdomen to fall. Post-PCI Day 0 : 3 sessions/day approximately 15mins/session,10 repetitions. Post-PCI Day 1 :3 supervised sessions/day approximately 20 minutes/session, 15 repetitions.

Diaphragmatic breathing Group B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 44 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 44-75 years
• Hemodynamically stable post-PCI patients with systolic blood pressure\>90 mmHg, diastolic BP 50-100mmHg Heart-rate 60-100 beats/min and no ongoing chest pain or signs of acute clinical instability.
• Oxygen saturation \>92% on room air
• Able to follow simple verbal instructions and perform the breathing exercises.
• Ejection Fraction \>35%

You may not qualify if:

• Ongoing myocardial ischemia, unstable angina, significant arrythmia or requirement for inotropic/vasopressor support.
• Cardiogenic shock or severe heart failure (NYHA class IV)
• Recent thoracic surgery or chest wall injury limiting rib expansion or deep breathing.
• Cardiac implantable electronic device (pacemaker/ICD) with pacing dependency or an implanted ventricular assist device.
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Uncontrolled hypertension(SBP\>180 mmHg or DBP\>110 mmHg) or bradycardia\<50 beats/min.
• Severe anemia (Hb\<8g/dL)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University Islamabad

Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Sonia Jahangir, MS-CPPT

CONTACT

0340-6801014; Soniajahangir23@gmail.com

Sana Bashir, MS-CPPT

CONTACT

0321-8529475; drsana.bashir@fui.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: The study protocol specifies single masking of participants, participants will not be informed of the allocation details.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Two parallel groups : Alternate nostril breathing intervention group and Diaphragmatic breathing comparator group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 5, 2026
• First Posted: October 9, 2026
• Study Start: February 11, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Last Updated: October 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Locations

PA (1)