Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of inspiratory and expiratory muscle training on systolic and diastolic blood pressure among hypertensive subjects.
Methodology: This randomized control trial included 66 patients with stage I & II hypertension enrolled through convenient sampling technique. It took six months to complete the study at Pakistan Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi. Random allotment of the subjects was done through envelope method into two groups (n= 33 each); inspiratory muscle training group (Group B) and expiratory muscle training group (Group A). Group A received forced inspiration training with relaxed expiration and Group B received forced expiration training with relaxed inspiration (approx. 16 breaths/min X15 minutes X2 times/day for 2 weeks). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and estimated peak VO2 were measured. The data was analyzed at baseline and after two weeks of the treatment with SPSS version 21.
Results: We had 42 males and 24 females with mean age of 46.83+8.68 years. After two weeks of interventions there was significant reduction (P=0.03) in heart rate from 77.49+6.74 to 70.79+6.04 in Group B. Systolic blood pressure was also significantly decreased in Group B (P=0.002) from 143.33+6.0 to 139.36+5.54. In aspect of pulmonary functions, there was significant improvement in FEV1 (P=0.02), FVC (P=0.02), FEV1/FVC (P=0.03), and PEF (P=0.02), in Group A. Estimated peak VO2 was improved in Group A but statistically not significant (P=0.06).
Conclusion: Inspiratory muscles training in hypertensive subjects was effective in reducing blood pressure and heart rate as compared to expiratory muscle training.

Key words: Breathing Exercises, Hypertension, Inspiratory Muscle Training.