Effect of Alternate Nostril Breathing on Blood Pressure among Hypertensives in a Selected Urban Community of Gurugram (Haryana)

Abstract

High blood pressure is the most common chronic medical problem prompting visits to Community health care providers in US (80%) and India (25% rural and 33% urban). There has been an alarming increase in the hypertension burden worldwide. Antihypertensive drugs and lifestyle modifications including exercises remains mainstay of treatment. This study aimed to determine effect of alternate nostril breathing on blood pressure among hypertensive patients. It was a quasi-experimental study employing a pre-test post-test control group design. Sixty purposively selected participants were randomly allocated into experimental and control groups (30 each). Blood pressure was measured using a calibrated digital sphygmomanometer. The experimental group received an intervention of ANB, administered twice daily for 10 minutes over 15 days. Both the groups continued their hypertension medication throughout the study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings were taken on day 1 (baseline) and day 15 (post-test). The majority of participants were females and over 60 years of age. A significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the experimental group, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Control group also showed significant difference in both systolic and diastolic readings from day 1 to day 15 (p<0.001), likely due to ongoing hypertension medication. To conclude, alternate breathing exercise was effective in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.