Muscle stretching with deep and slow breathing patterns: a pilot study for therapeutic development
-
Kulwarang Wongwilairat
,
Orawan Buranruk
,
Wichai Eungpinichpong
Abstract
Background
Chronic neck pain is frequently found in office workers affecting quality of life; also, stress is one participating factor. Though stretching incorporating deep-slow breathing (DSB) has benefits on health, an effective and suitable technique for office workers to perform in the workplace is a gap in need of fulfilment.
Methods
We explored the effective pattern of stretching with DSB to reduce neck tension and promote relaxation within the shortest time. Thirty-two female participants with neck tension were allocated into two steps totaling five patterns (n=8 for each pattern). Firstly, they performed two patterns; two other patterns were developed and compared with DSB alone. Muscle tension, pain score, and heart rate variability (HRV) were immediately measured.
Results
All patterns performed with the eyes closed decreased muscle tension more than those performed with the eyes open; the pain amid all stretching groups subsequently decreased. Only a bout of slow stretching, performed synchronously with the eyes closed along with a period of deep inhalation increased the parasympathetic activity of HRV; an increase in pain was reported after stretching.
Conclusions
A slowed and synchronized pattern between stretching with DSB and eyes closed period, performed at least four times repeatedly rendered benefits in reducing neck pain and tension, in addition to promoting relaxation within a short period; however, the DSB pattern and the feeling of the stretched muscle to promote relaxation were individual differences. Thus, future studies should come up with apposite training methods adjusted to fit individuals; self-awareness toward these aspects ought to be encouraged.
Acknowledgments
This study forms part of a thesis for the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: The project was funded by the Graduate School and Research Center in Back, Neck, other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), Khon Kaen University, Thailand. The authors declare no existence of competing financial interest.
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Pre-clinical Studies
- Antidiarrhoeal properties of Syzygium guineense leaf extract and identification of chemical constituents in its active column fractions
- A randomized comparative study of herbal decoction of Cassia fistula Linn pod's pericarp and Myristica fragrans Houtt arils vs. mefenamic acid in spasmodic dysmenorrhoea
- Effect of Morus alba root bark extract on gene-level expression of inflammatory markers in rats subjected to ethanol and cerulein induced pancreatitis– influence of heat shock protein 70
- Metabolomic fingerprint of Mentha rotundifolia L. Leaf tissues promotes this species as a potential candidate for sustainable production of biologically active molecules
- Effect of Ocimum basilicum leaves extract on acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxicity in BALB/c mice
- Ethanolic extract of Erythrina velutina Willd ameliorate schizophrenia-like behavior induced by ketamine in mice
- Clinical Studies
- Asymmetric dimethylarginine and soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 serum levels alteration following ginger supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Muscle stretching with deep and slow breathing patterns: a pilot study for therapeutic development
- Model structure for protocol adherence utilizing a manualized therapeutic massage intervention
- Effect of Complementary Spiritist Therapy on emotional status, muscle tension, and wellbeing of inpatients with HIV/AIDS: A randomized controlled trial – single–blind
- Postoperative analgesia by adding acupuncture to conventional therapy, a non-randomized controlled trial
- Comparative study on effect of neutral spinal bath and neutral spinal spray on blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability in healthy volunteers
- Case study
- Is Rajyoga helpful in maintaining patient’s biochemical and hematological profile during breast cancer treatment?
- Review
- Pharmacological and nutritive potential of Euphorbia granulata
- Utilization, preference, perception and characteristics of people adopting traditional and AYUSH systems of medicine in India: a systematic review
- Letter to the editor
- Differences in Nominal Significance (DINS) Error leads to invalid conclusions: Letter regarding, “Diet enriched with fresh coconut decreases blood glucose levels and body weight in normal adults”
