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Effect of Deep Slow Breathing on Pain‐Related Variables in Osteoarthritis
Author(s) -
Brilla Lorrie,
Larsen K.L.,
McLaughlin W.L.,
Li Y.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1288.5
Subject(s) - medicine , osteoarthritis , exhalation , physical therapy , heart rate variability , womac , anesthesia , heart rate , blood pressure , alternative medicine , pathology
This study evaluated the effect of a six‐week deep slow breathing (DSB) program on pain, physical function, and heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects with lower extremity joint pain. Twenty subjects were assigned into training (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The training group participated in a six‐week DSB program consisting of weekly training sessions and at‐home breathing exercises. DSB exercises focused on prolonging the exhalation and the pause following exhalation. The Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to assess pain and physical function and HRV data were obtained pre‐ and post‐intervention. Results revealed no significant interactions between group and time for any of the variables. There was no significant main effect for group, but there was a significant main effect (p < 0.025) and a large effect size for time on both pain (training pre 148 ± 94, post 84 ± 89; control pre 123 ± 87, post 92 ± 73; group η p 2 = 0.003, time η p 2 = 0.454) and physical function (training pre 434 ± 268, post 276 ± 287; control pre 482 ± 346, post 338 ± 274; group η p 2 = 0.010, time η p 2 = 0.506). There were no significant main effects (p > 0.017) for group and time on LF power (training pre 179.30 ± 562.1 ms 2 , post 9.82 ± 28.84 ms 2 ; control pre 32.08 ± 66.55 ms 2 , post 0.74 ± 0.73 ms 2 ; group η p 2 = 0.039, time η p 2 = 0.061), HF power (training pre 14.04 ± 39.76 ms 2 , post 7.02 ± 19.24 ms 2 ; control pre 7.43 ± 9.99 ms 2 , post 1.50 ± 1.87 ms 2 ; group η p 2 = 0.039, time η p 2 = 0.039), and LF/HF ratio (training pre 5.64 ± 10.03, post 2.13 ± 3.72; control pre 2.38 ± 3.79, post 0.97 ± 0.69; group η p 2 = 0.036, time η p 2 = 0.169). Results indicated that the six‐week DSB program was not sufficient to improve pain or physical function in subjects with lower extremity joint pain. The significant improvements in pain and physical function from pre‐to post‐intervention for both groups may be the result of an increase in perceived social support during the study. As this is the first study to examine the use of DSB for lower extremity joint pain and dysfunction, further research is needed to investigate the efficacy and applicability of DSB. Support or Funding Information none