The Impact of Improved Vagal Function on Periaqueductal Gray Connectivity
Virginia Commonwealth University
Summary
This study is being to see if participating in breathing exercise training and practicing this training will help with Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The information may help doctors to learn more about how the different parts of people's brains communicate.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-50 years * Diagnosis of POTS, orthostatic intolerance (with or without syncope), syncope, or near-syncope * Can speak and read in English * Upcoming new patient VCU Comprehensive Autonomics Center clinic visit scheduled at least 1 week in the future Exclusion Criteria: * Inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue or auto-immune disorder * Any chronic neurological disorder besides POTS, orthostatic intolerance (with or without syncope), syncope, or near-syncope * Patients who have already had a new patient clinic visit where they were exposed to breathing exercise…
Interventions
- Behavioralbreathing exercise training
Participants will engage in weekly breathing exercises. They will be trained once a week for 4 weeks, and will use an app called Inner Balance and an device called Firstbeat Bodyguard 3 to track data about their hearts while practicing the exercises at home for 10 minutes a day, twice a day, once before bedtime.
Location
- Virnigia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, Virginia