RESPeRATE is made by InterCure, Ltd.
RESPeRATE has been evaluated in several different clinical studies.
In these studies, the device was compared to an audio player with relaxing music, a blood pressure-monitoring device (that measures blood pressure), or both. This allowed the researchers to make sure the blood pressure-lowering effects of RESPeRATE were actually due to paced breathing, not to the "placebo effect" or simply to the relaxing sound of RESPeRATE.
At the beginning of each session, RESPeRATE measures and analyzes your unique breathing pattern and creates two different musical tones that will guide you in paced breathing. One tone is for inhaling and the other is for exhaling. Just by listening to the melody (without effort), you will naturally follow the melody with your breathing. RESPeRATE continues to measure and analyze your breathing, adjusting as necessary and slowly guiding you to a target of less than 10 breaths per minute with a particularly long exhalation. This is known as paced breathing.
By encouraging you to practice paced breathing effortlessly, RESPeRATE causes the smooth muscles around your blood vessels to relax. This allows blood to flow more easily, reducing
blood pressure. Even though your breathing returns to normal after your 15 minute RESPeRATE session, the beneficial effects on blood pressure last throughout the day. The beneficial effects accumulate when you use RESPeRATE, and you should see a significant drop in blood pressure within three or four weeks.
Some information on when and how to use it include the following:
- The goal is to achieve at least 45 minutes of breathing in the target range (less than 10 breaths per minute) each week. RESPeRATE keeps track of this for you.
- First, you place an elastic belt with a breathing sensor around your chest or abdomen.
- RESPeRATE then analyzes your breathing and creates a melody with a specific pattern to guide your breathing.
- Each session lasts for 15 minutes total (unless you change the setting to make the sessions longer or shorter).
- To end each session, RESPeRATE gradually decreases the volume until the melody is stopped. This provides a relaxing end to the session.
- It is important to sit down and simply relax. Trying too hard can interfere with the effectiveness of RESPeRATE.
- Although the beneficial effects of RESPeRATE are sustained (they last all day long), they are not permanent. You must continue to use the device on a regular basis in order to maintain the beneficial effects.
Side Effects
It appears that RESPeRATE does not cause any side effects. Unlike blood pressure medications, the medical device does not seem be able to lower blood pressure too much.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Even though RESPeRATE does not require a prescription, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using the machine. Your healthcare provider can help you determine your
blood pressure goals and can help you monitor your progress.
Theoretically, you might be able to stop your blood pressure medication (or decrease the dose) if you successfully use RESPeRATE to lower blood pressure, especially if your blood pressure was only slightly high. However, this potential benefit has not been studied, and the manufacturer of RESPeRATE makes no claims about stopping or decreasing medication. In any case, do not stop your medication or change the dose without your healthcare provider's approval and supervision.
Currently, RESPeRATE costs about $300 for the standard model. You can purchase the machine directly from the manufacturer (from their Web site) or from various retail locations (including many pharmacies). Your insurance might not cover RESPeRATE, although you may be able to use a flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for the device. At this time, most major insurance companies and Medicare do not cover RESPeRATE.
