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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

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

Conditions
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Shift Nurses

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Alternative nostril breathing


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Shift nurses Exclusion Criteria: Upper respiratory tract infection such as nasal congestion, runny nose, coughing, wheezing, nosebleeds, fever and other symptoms.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Normal breathing<br>The control group will do normal breathing. | |
| Experimental: Alternative nostril breathing<br>The experimental groups will do alternative nostril breathing twice a week (20 minutes/time) for 3 months. | Behavioral: Alternative nostril breathing<br>* The experimental groups will do alternative nostril breathing twice a week (20 minutes/time) for 3 months.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Improve sleep quality. | Sleep quality will be assessed by pittsburg sleep quality index at three different times: (1)baseline data: before alternate nostril breathing practice ,(2)outcome data:6 and 12 weeks alternate nostril breathing practice, right after exercise measures post-test. | Change from baseline in sleep quality at 3 months. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Enhance human immunity | Lymphocytes will be extracted from peripheral blood for analyses of lymphocytes subpopulation, polarization and its related cytokines. Saliva will be collected at 3 different times: (1)baseline data: before alternate nostril breathing program ,(2)outcome data:6 and 12 weeks alternate nostril breathing practice, right after exercise measures post-test. | Change from baseline in human immunity at 3 months. | 
| Improve autonomic nervous function | Autonomic nervous function will be assessed by biofeedback index using heart rate variability at three different times: (1)baseline data: before alternate nostril breathing practice ,(2)outcome data:6 and 12 weeks alternate nostril breathing practice, right after exercise measures post-test. | Change from baseline in autonomic nervous function at 3 months. |