An interventional study of Alternate Nostril Breathing and Diaphragmatic breathing in Oxygen Saturation and Heart Rate, sponsored by Foundation University Islamabad. Recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 44 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-09.
Sponsored by Foundation University Islamabad · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study is a two-arm randomized parallel group trial designed to compare the effects of alternate nostril breathing vs diaphragmatic breathing on oxygen saturation and Heart-rate variability in hemodynamically stable post-PCI patients. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to alternate nostril breathing or diaphragmatic breathing and will receive the allocated intervention for 2 consecutive days with three supervised sessions per day in addition to routine post-PCI care. Oxygen saturation will be assessed using a pulse oximeter and heart-rate variability will be assessed using a Polar H10 sensor at baseline and after the intervention. The study will determine whether there is a difference between two breathing interventions in the prescribed outcome measures.
This randomized parallel group study will enroll hemodynamically stable post-PCI inpatients referred by cardiology at the CCU of Fauji foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. Eligible participants will be screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and will provide written informed consent before participation. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to alternate nostril breathing or diaphragmatic breathing using sealed opaque envelopes. Both interventions will be supervised by a physiotherapist and provided in addition to routine care for 2 consecutive days with three sessions per day. Each session will be approximately 15 minutes with 10 repetitions on post-PCI Day 0 and approximately 20 minutes with 15 repetitions on Day-1. Heart-rate , blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation will be monitored before and after sessions. The intervention will be stopped in the presence of clinically significant symptoms or abnormal vital-sign changes and the participant will be referred to the CCU medical team when required. Oxygen saturation and heart-rate variability will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the 2-day intervention period.
Foundation University Islamabad is the lead sponsor of 253 studies on the registry; 140 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants assigned to this group will perform alternate nostril breathing under physiotherapist supervision in addition to routine post-PCI care. Participants will sit comfortably with spine straight and shoulders relaxed. The right nostril will be closed with the right thumb and inhalation will be performed through the left nostril. The left nostril will then be closed with the right ring finger ,the right nostril released and exhalation performed through the right nostril. The sequence will then be reversed, completing one cycle. Post-PCI Day 0:3supervised sessions/day, approximately 15 minutes/session, 10 repetitions. Post-PCI Day-1 :3 sessions/day approximately 20 minutes/sessions, 15 repetitions.
Behavioral: Alternate Nostril Breathing
Participants assigned to this group will perform diaphragmatic breathing under physiotherapist supervision in addition to routine post-PCI care. The participant will lie supine or sit upright with the back supported, with one hand on the upper chest and the other on the abdomen below the rib cage. The participant will inhale slowly through the nose while allowing the abdomen to rise and then exhale slowly through pursed lips while allowing the abdomen to fall. Post-PCI Day 0 : 3 sessions/day approximately 15mins/session,10 repetitions. Post-PCI Day 1 :3 supervised sessions/day approximately 20 minutes/session, 15 repetitions.
Other: Diaphragmatic breathing
Non-pharmacological breathing interventions administered under physiotherapist supervision for 2 consecutive days with three sessions per day in addition to routine post-PCI care.
Participants assigned to this group will perform diaphragmatic breathing under physiotherapist supervision in addition to routine post-PCI care. The participant will lie supine or sit upright with the back supported, with one hand on the upper chest and the other on the abdomen below the rib cage. The participant will inhale slowly through the nose while allowing the abdomen to rise and then exhale slowly through pursed lips while allowing the abdomen to fall. Post-PCI Day 0 : 3 sessions/day approximately 15mins/session,10 repetitions. Post-PCI Day 1 :3 supervised sessions/day approximately 20 minutes/session, 15 repetitions.
Change in Oxygen saturation
Change in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) from baseline to the specified post-intervention assessment time point, measured using a pulse oximeter. Oxygen saturation will be recorded as a percentage (%) and compared between baseline and post-intervention measurements.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-day intervention period.
Change in Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Change in heart rate variability from baseline to the specified post-intervention assessment time point, assessed using a validated heart rate/ECG monitoring device. Heart rate variability will be evaluated using predefined HRV parameters, such as time-domain and/or frequency-domain measures, as applicable to the study protocol.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-day intervention period.
Started Feb 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 10 months after the start.
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From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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