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World J Cardiol. May 26, 2014; 6(5): 277-282
Published online May 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i5.277
Device-guided breathing exercises for the treatment of hypertension: An overview
Kornelis JJ van Hateren, Gijs WD Landman, Susan JJ Logtenberg, Henk JG Bilo, Nanne Kleefstra
Kornelis JJ van Hateren, Gijs WD Landman, Susan JJ Logtenberg, Henk JG Bilo, Nanne Kleefstra, Diabetes Centre, Isala, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands
Susan JJ Logtenberg, Henk JG Bilo, Nanne Kleefstra, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Internal Medicine, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
Henk JG Bilo, Department of Internal Medicine, Isala, 8000GK Zwolle, The Netherlands
Nanne Kleefstra, Langerhans Medical Research Group, 8000GK Zwolle, The Netherlands
Author contributions: van Hateren KJ and Landman GW searched literature; all authors participated in interpretation of the data and revision of the manuscript; van Hateren KJ drafted the manuscript; Bilo HJ and Kleefstra N supervised the study.
Correspondence to: Kornelis JJ van Hateren, MD, Diabetes Centre, Isala, PO Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands. k.j.j.van.hateren@isala.nl
Telephone: +31-38-4242518 Fax: +31-38-4243367
Received: November 22, 2013
Revised: February 14, 2014
Accepted: April 17, 2014
Published online: May 26, 2014
Processing time: 209 Days and 21.2 Hours
Abstract

The American Heart Association considers device-guided breathing as a reasonable treatment modality in their statement on non-pharmacological options for lowering blood pressure. This review discusses all randomized controlled trials that have investigated the effects of device-guided breathing on blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Thirteen studies were included in this review. In total, 627 patients were included, of which 365 patients were allocated to device-guided breathing. Only 6 studies used acceptable control groups: listening to music, meditative relaxation exercises, or a sham-device. Two sponsored trials showed beneficial effects of device-guided breathing, both used listening to music as a control group. The remaining 4 studies, which had no employees of the manufacturer listed as co-author, observed no beneficial effects on blood pressure. There is only 1 study that used a sham device as a control group. All other studies were to some extend methodologically flawed. Based on the studies with an acceptable methodological quality, there is no clear evidence supporting a short-term beneficial effect on blood pressure by using device-guided breathing.

Keywords: Hypertension; Device-guided breathing; Review

Core tip: This review discusses all randomized controlled trials that have investigated the effects of device-guided breathing on blood pressure. There were 6 studies with an acceptable control group. Two (manufacturer sponsored) trials showed beneficial effects of device-guided breathing, both used listening to music as a control group. The remaining 4 studies observed no beneficial effects. We conclude that there is no sufficient evidence for recommending device-guided breathing in the treatment of hypertension.