The Effectiveness of Autonomic Nervous System, Sleep Quality, and Immune Regulation for Shift Nurses Practicing Alternative Nostril Breathing

Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Shift Nurses

Treatments: Behavioral: Alternative nostril breathing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02242708

1010807

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of shift nurses practicing alternative nostril breathing to improve life quality, autonomic nervous system and immune status.

Full description

Breathing is regulated by autonomic nervous system. It is well-known that breathing exercise can regulate autonomic nervous function and promote relaxation. However, the mechanism for better immunity and sleep quality is not clear. We postulate that alternative nostril breathing might benefit nurses after undergoing shift work. The benefits could be due to improvement of autonomic nervous function, sleep quality, and even immune function.

The study design will include a randomization of two groups, with a control group and one experimental groups for 3 months (12 weeks). The control group will do normal breathing. The experimental groups will do alternative nostril breathing twice a week (20 minutes/time) for 3 months.

The study primary endpoints are 1) to improve autonomic nervous function, 2) to improve sleep quality and 3) to enhance human immunity.

We anticipate to reach the primary endpoints and publish the primary results in one year.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Shift nurses

Exclusion criteria

• Upper respiratory tract infection such as nasal congestion, runny nose, coughing, wheezing, nosebleeds, fever and other symptoms.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Normal breathing

No Intervention group

Description:

The control group will do normal breathing.

Alternative nostril breathing

Experimental group

Description:

The experimental groups will do alternative nostril breathing twice a week (20 minutes/time) for 3 months.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Alternative nostril breathing