Breathing retraining for pregnant women with POTS
Effects of Breathing Retraining Exercises on Heartrate, Blood Pressure and Orthostatic Intolerance in Pregnant Females With Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
This trial will test whether diaphragmatic breathing exercises help pregnant women with POTS reduce dizziness, rapid heart rate, and other orthostatic symptoms.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 44 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sialkot, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07579026 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized interventional trial will enroll 44 pregnant women with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome at two hospitals in Sialkot, Pakistan, over about 10 months. Participants will be randomized to diaphragmatic breathing exercises (experimental) or educational retraining (control), with both groups also receiving baseline progressive muscle relaxation. Outcome measures include orthostatic symptom burden (Vanderbilt Orthostatic Symptom Score), heart rate and blood pressure responses to standing, and symptom reports. The protocol uses non-probability convenience sampling and regular site follow-ups for intervention delivery and data collection.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant females aged 19–35 with POTS defined by a sustained heart rate increase of ≥30 bpm on standing (or ≥120 bpm) and orthostatic symptoms are eligible.
Not a fit: Women with uncontrolled hypertension or pre-eclampsia, significant cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes, severe anemia, advanced heart failure, neurodegenerative disease, or a history of deep venous thrombosis are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a low-cost, non-drug way to reduce orthostatic symptoms and improve daily comfort for pregnant women with POTS.
How similar studies have performed: Breathing retraining and paced breathing have shown autonomic and symptom benefits in other populations, but evidence specifically for pregnant patients with POTS is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * • Pregnant female between the age of 19 to 35 years. * Active standing results in a sustained increase in heart rate (HR) of at least 30 bpm or ≥120 bpm. * POTS patients with a subacute onset of lightheadedness, dizziness, and presyncope provoked by standing. * palpitations with chest discomfort, breathing difficulties, or feeling faint Exclusion Criteria: * • Uncontrolled hypertension/pre-eclampsia * cardiovascular disorder * Patients with uncontrolled diabetes * Patient with Anemia, severe heart failure and neurodegenerative diseases. * Females with the history of deep venous thrombosis.
Where this trial is running
Sialkot, Punjab Province
- Bashir hospital sialkot, fatima hospital — Sialkot, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Masooma Saleem, MSPT WH — Riphah International University
- Study coordinator: imran amjad, phd
- Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
- Phone: 03324390125
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.