A New Translational Tool for Studying the Role of Breathing in Meditation
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Cardiology / Vascular Diseases |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 50 - Any |
| Updated: | 11/28/2015 |
| Start Date: | February 2011 |
| End Date: | August 2016 |
| Contact: | Wendy Adelson, MS |
| Email: | adelsonw@ocim.ucsf.edu |
Project Inspire: A New Translational Tool for Studying the Role of Breathing in Meditation
A recent National Health Interview Survey reported that breathing exercises were the second
most common complementary and alternative medicine practice in the United States, following
only the use of "natural products." With such widespread interest in breathing exercises,
alone or as a component of practices such as meditation, a need exists for research that
examines not only its efficacy, but also investigates potential mechanisms of action.
Indeed, a recent National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Meditation Workshop recommended research to clarify biological pathways by which meditation
practices, including breathing exercises, can impact health. To explore mechanisms
underlying the health effects of breathing exercises, new translational tools are needed
that can measure breathing patterns in both the clinic and natural environment. The primary
objective of the present proposal is the application of a new technology to the
investigation of pathways by which breathing exercises can affect health. For this project,
the health-related outcome measure to be studied is a major cardiovascular risk factor,
blood pressure.
most common complementary and alternative medicine practice in the United States, following
only the use of "natural products." With such widespread interest in breathing exercises,
alone or as a component of practices such as meditation, a need exists for research that
examines not only its efficacy, but also investigates potential mechanisms of action.
Indeed, a recent National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Meditation Workshop recommended research to clarify biological pathways by which meditation
practices, including breathing exercises, can impact health. To explore mechanisms
underlying the health effects of breathing exercises, new translational tools are needed
that can measure breathing patterns in both the clinic and natural environment. The primary
objective of the present proposal is the application of a new technology to the
investigation of pathways by which breathing exercises can affect health. For this project,
the health-related outcome measure to be studied is a major cardiovascular risk factor,
blood pressure.
Inclusion Criteria
- Mean 24-hr SBP: 130-139 mmHg
- Female
- > 50 years of age
- Post menopausal, defined as greater than or equal to one year without a menstrual
cycle.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): 19-31
- English speaking (Patients not able to read and speak English will be excluded as the
behavioral group interventions are conducted in English)
- Has a personal physician
Exclusion Criteria (Individuals will be filtered in the KP OSCA database according to the
following ICD-9 codes):
Respiration:
- 491.X chronic Bronchitis incl COPD
- 492.X emphysema
- 493.X asthma
- 494-496; 500-519: all kinds of chronic pulmonary conditions
Cardiovascular:
- 404.9 chronic ischemic heart disease
- 425.X cardiomyopathies
- 428.X heart failure
- 430-438 cerebrovascular diseases
Kidney:
- 582-583 chronic glomerulonephritis
- 584-588 renal failure
Liver:
- 571.X chronic liver disease and cirrhosis Smoker: 305.1
Psychiatric:
- 290-299 dementia/schizophrenia/ psychoses…
- 303, 304 alcohol or drug dependence
- 317-319 mental retardation
Medications:
- All blood pressure medications
- All tranquilizers, benzodiazepins if prescribed regularly, e.g. every month
- All narcotics if prescribed regularly, e.g. every month
Other:
- Plan to relocate residence outside recruitment area during the intervention or follow-
period
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