Breathing Exercises for Dyspnea and Anxiety in Heart Failure

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Diaphragmatic and Pursed-Lip Breathing Exercises: Participants received standard emergency department care plus nurse-guided diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing exercises. The intervention consisted of three cycles of breathing exercises with rest periods between cycles. Participants were observed and supported throughout the intervention.

Study summary

Heart failure is a leading cause of emergency department admissions, with dyspnea and psychological distress being among the most common presenting symptoms. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of nurse-guided diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing exercises on dyspnea and psychological distress in patients presenting to the emergency department with heart failure. A total of 112 eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group receiving breathing exercises in addition to standard care or a control group receiving standard care alone. Dyspnea severity will be assessed using the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and psychological distress will be assessed using the Distress Thermometer at predefined time points. The findings are expected to provide evidence for the effectiveness of a simple, low-cost, nurse-led non-pharmacological intervention in improving symptom management in patients with heart failure.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in psychological distress measured by the Distress Thermometer — Baseline (before intervention), and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after initiation of the intervention.
  Psychological distress will be assessed using the Distress Thermometer
• Change in dyspnea severity measured by the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale — Baseline (before intervention), and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after initiation of the intervention.
  Dyspnea severity will be assessed using the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale

Trial sites (1)

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