Effects of Pilates Breathing Versus Diaphragmatic Breathing on Oxygen Saturation and Heart-Rate Variability in Post-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients

NCT07872098 | Recruiting

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

Brief Summary

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a common procedure used to restore coronary blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease. Post-PCI patients may experience reduced exercise tolerance, altered breathing patterns, and autonomic imbalance, which may affect oxygen saturation and heart-rate variability (HRV). Breathing exercises are simple, non-pharmacological interventions that may support early recovery. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of Pilates breathing and diaphragmatic breathing on oxygen saturation and HRV in hemodynamically stable post-PCI patients. A total of 36 participants will be randomly allocated into two groups using a sealed opaque envelope method. The Pilates breathing group and diaphragmatic breathing group will receive supervised breathing exercises for 2 consecutive days, with three sessions per day, in addition to routine care. Oxygen saturation will be assessed using a pulse oximeter, while HRV will be measured using a Polar H10 chest belt. Pre- and post-intervention measurements will be compared between the two groups.

Conditions

Oxygen Saturation; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Keywords

Pilates breathing; Diaphragmatic breathing; Heart rate variability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Oxygen Saturation

  Oxygen saturation will be measured using a pulse oximeter before and after the intervention to compare the effects of Pilates breathing and diaphragmatic breathing in post-PCI patients.

  Baseline and immediately after the 2-day intervention period

• Heart-Rate Variability

  Variation in time between consecutive heartbeats measured using a Polar H10 chest belt/ECG-based heart-rate sensor.

  Baseline and immediately after the 2-day intervention period.

Study Arms (2)

Pilates Breathing group A

EXPERIMENTAL

Supervised Pilates breathing. Post-op Day 0: 3 sessions/day, 15 minutes/session, 10 repetitions. Post-op Day 1: 3 sessions/day, 20 minutes/session, 15 repetitions. Pre- and post-session HR, BP, RR and SpO2 will be monitored. Intervention is provided in addition to routine care.

Procedure: Pilates Breathing

Diaphragmatic Breathing group B

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Supervised diaphragmatic breathing. Post-op Day 0: 3 sessions/day, 15 minutes/session, 10 repetitions. Post-op Day 1: 3 sessions/day, 20 minutes/session, 15 repetitions. Pre- and post-session HR, BP, RR and SpO2 will be monitored. Intervention is provided in addition to routine care.

Procedure: Diaphragmatic breathing

Interventions

Pilates Breathing PROCEDURE

Pilates breathing is a controlled breathing technique that involves lateral rib cage expansion during inhalation and slow, active exhalation. The intervention will be administered under physiotherapist supervision for 2 consecutive days with three sessions per day in addition to routine post-PCI care.

Pilates Breathing group A

Diaphragmatic breathing PROCEDURE

A deep breathing method that uses the diaphragm with minimal chest movement, performed in a controlled manner for a set duration. The intervention will be performed under physiotherapist supervision in addition to routine post-PCI care

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:

• Age 44-75 years (\> 75 years as an "at-risk" group) (20).
• Hemodynamically stable: SBP \>90 mmHg, DBP 50-100 mmHg, HR 60-100 bpm, and no ongoing chest pain or signs of acute.
• Oxygen saturation SpO₂ ≥ 92% on room air
• Able to follow simple verbal instructions and perform breathing exercises.
• Ejection fraction \>35%

You may not qualify if:

• Ongoing myocardial ischemia, unstable angina, significant arrhythmia or requirement for inotropic/vasopressor
• Cardiogenic shock or severe heart failure (NYHA IV)
• Recent thoracic surgery or chest wall injury that limits rib expansion
• Presence of cardiac implantable electronic device (pacemaker/ICD) with pacing dependency, or implanted ventricular assist device
• Severe cognitive impairment.
• Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP \> 180 mmHg or DBP \> 110 mmHg) or bradycardia \< 50.
• Severe anemia (Hb \< 8)
• Pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University Islamabad

Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Aqsa Kanwal Siddique, MS-CPPT

CONTACT

03315874402; Itsaqsa025@gmail.com

Sana Bashir, MS-CPPT

CONTACT

03218529475; drsana.bashir@fui.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Pilates breathing group or diaphragmatic breathing group using sealed opaque envelopes, and participants will not be informed about their specific group allocation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Two parallel groups: Pilates breathing intervention group and diaphragmatic breathing control/comparator group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 7, 2026
• First Posted: October 13, 2026
• Study Start: February 11, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Last Updated: October 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Locations

PA (1)