Over-the-counter device 'lowers BP in diabetics'

Washington, Mar 10 (ANI): Using a medical device called RESPeRATE 15 minutes a day can significantly lower blood pressure in non-insulin dependent diabetics, according to a new study.

This study reinforces nine previous studies that validate the efficacy of the device.

Moshe H. Schein, MBChB, M.S., Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center conducted a randomised, controlled trial of 66 non-insulin dependent (Type II) diabetic patients with uncontrolled blood pressure.

Despite the fact that 82 percent of the study population was already taking antihypertensive medication before the start of the trial, baseline systolic blood pressure levels remained high while diastolic levels were controlled.

Study participants using device-guided breathing with RESPeRATE at home for eight weeks experienced a significant reduction in office systolic blood pressure but similar results were not seen in the control group.

A full 88 percent of patients using RESPeRATE experienced a significant blood pressure reduction, in contrast to only 45 percent of the control group.

"A high percentage of diabetic complications can be attributed to hypertension. However data shows that only 20 percent of diabetic patients reach the recommended target blood pressure," said Dr. Schein, the lead investigator.

"It is therefore encouraging that an effective non-drug therapy can help this population improve its blood pressure control. The compliance with treatment in the study was high and in addition the patients reported feeling more relaxed after the device-guided breathing," Dr. Schein added.

The study has been published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Human Hypertension. (ANI)