What we are doing?
The BREATHE intervention was developed during the PhD through feedback and engagement with NHS staff and patients. The BREATHE intervention sought to teach patients how to practice breathing practices and biofeedback (i.e., heart rate feedback through a wristband device) to help manage their blood pressure and wellbeing. The BREATHE intervention is being trialled in an ongoing feasibility study to understand if this is a feasible and suitable intervention to use in hypertension clinics. After the study, interviews are conducted with participants to understand their views and experiences of the BREATHE intervention, and to understand if this could be suitable for clinical practice and subsequently further research trials.
Why we are doing it?
Hypertension is a serious condition that can have significant consequences. If left untreated, it can lead to complications such as stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. Hypertension is usually treated with medication, but this is commonly associated with issues such as side effects, poly-pharmacy and non-adherence.
Breathing practice could provide an additional, non-pharmacological treatment for patients with hypertension that could be used alongside medication to help improve blood pressure control. This effect on blood pressure is believed to be a two-pronged approach, both through the effect on the autonomic nervous system, and on wellbeing. However, we need to understand if this can be tailored to the population group and feasibly delivered within hypertension clinics.
What the benefits will be and to whom?
This research will benefit both the NHS and patients. Developing a non-pharmacological intervention that can reduce hypertension will have a significant impact on the financial and physical resources required by the NHS to treat hypertension which, in 2014, was estimated to cost £2 billion each year.
Additionally, the option of a non-pharmacological therapy could benefit patients who experience side effects or difficulties taking medication, contributing to improved health outcomes through controlling hypertension. Breathing practice also has the potential to improve the psychological wellbeing of patients and could be used to inform practice in the care of other conditions.
Who we are working with?
This research project will work with both the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. We will recruit participants through clinics running within the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
Contact
Sian Jenkins, Early Career Fellow, University of Leicester, Saj40@leicester.ac.uk