Key result
Slow deep breathing increases IL-10 levels ~5-fold and reduces systolic blood pressure in hypertensive seniors.
Why the study?
Hypertension is associated with chronic inflammation involving IL-6 and IL-10, and slow deep breathing exercise has been linked to improved autonomic regulation and potential anti-inflammatory effects.
Does a six-week slow deep breathing exercise intervention improve IL-6, IL-10, and blood pressure levels in pre-elderly and elderly individuals with hypertension?
Does a six-week slow deep breathing exercise intervention improve IL-6, IL-10, and blood pressure levels in pre-elderly and elderly individuals with hypertension?
In elderly patients with hypertension, a six-week slow deep breathing exercise program significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels, supporting its utility as a non-pharmacological adjunct therapy.
Slow deep breathing may raise IL-10 and lower systolic BP in hypertensive older adults; leaves open confirmation of IL-6 effects or clinical benefit in RCTs.
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is often associated with chronic inflammatory processes. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-10 (IL-10) can inhibit inflammatory effects. Slow Deep Breathing Exercise (SDBE) has been linked to improved autonomic nervous system regulation and potential anti-inflammatory effects. This study used a one-group pretest-posttest design involving 35 pre-elderly and elderly participants with hypertension. Subjects underwent SDBE intervention for six weeks, three sessions per week, with each session lasting 10–15 minutes. IL-6 and IL-10 levels were measured using the ELISA method, and blood pressure was measured before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. There was a significant increase in IL-10 levels after the intervention (p = 0.000), but IL-6 levels showed no significant change (p = 0.108). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased from 158.54±13.86 mmHg to 149.69±13.90 mmHg (p = 0.005) and from 88.80±15.08 mmHg to 84.66±8.99 mmHg (p = 0.005), respectively. In older adults with hypertension, slow deep breathing exercise can lower blood pressure and raise IL-10 levels, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, while IL-6 levels did not significantly change. This intervention can be used as a non-pharmacological therapy to help manage hypertension.
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Abdillah Choirul Chisholi (2026) studied Hypertension (n=35). Slow Deep Breathing Exercise (SDBE) vs. Baseline (pre-intervention) was evaluated on Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels (pg/mL) (MD 7.059 pg/mL, p=0.000). Slow deep breathing exercise significantly increased IL-10 levels from 3.43 to 18.14 pg/mL (p=0.000) and reduced systolic blood pressure (p=0.005) in hypertensive older adults, without altering IL-6.
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