Primavera otoño 2020 (Año LXIII Núms. 122-123)

horizontes@pucpr.edu Año LXIV Núm. 124-125 horizontes PRIMAVERA / OTOÑO 2021 PUCPR 50 relaxation method. This method is presented as an alternative to treat symptoms that directly affect these patients. In several scientific projects, the investigators described, studied, and presented deep breathing as an alternative for anxiety disorder. This article presented the general idea founded in fifteen research articles documented in this review article. Body functions are directly related to deep breathing. In the first article, Hamasaki (2020) presented the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on health, including diverse systems. These included cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and brain systems. The autonomic nervous system's modulation occurs in all systems (Hamasaki, 2020). The results showed the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing for various health problems such as anxiety, eating disorders, and hypertension. With the previous studies breathing modulated bodily functions. In addition to the positive effects of deep breathing, researchers evaluated other benefits. Compared three different categories of deep- breathing therapy and the benefits of each of these techniques (Aideyan et al., 2020). These different methodologies integrated psychological aspects such as treatment that utilized the relaxation response. These treatments were effective for anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Research has focused on studying the effects of deep breathing on hypertension, one of the leading anxiety symptoms. Jiménez-Rodríguez et al. (2018) evaluated the application of relaxation therapies to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients. They established a relationship between anxiety, quality of life, and sleep with hypertension. They found that passive relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, and visualizations positively decreased arterial hypertension. Deep-breathing studies have used different types of populations, including children. Researchers studied how deep breathing relaxed and controlled childhood anxiety. Researchers also described chronic cognitive effects in children (Amaral et al., 2017) by implementing a game therapy to teach cardiovascular self-regulation. Children who participated in biofeedback and deep-breathing techniques increased parasympathetic activity and improved cognitive performance. Petersen et al. (2020) described a simple biofeedback method based on belly breathing, a deep diaphragmatic breathing technique promoted for children experiencing stress, anxiety, or pain. Combining physiological monitoring with accessible mobile technology can motivate children to comply with this intervention through biofeedback and gaming. Innovative technologies can improve patient experience and compliance with strategies that reduce anxiety, change the experience of pain, and enhance self-regulation during painful medical procedures. Petersen et al. (2020) studied patients ranging from 5-17 years of age who suffered from respiratory sinus arrhythmia. After practicing deep breathing exercises for 2 minutes, their heart pulse rate decreased by two beats per minute to 8 bpm (depending on the age). Thus, this simple technique may be a valuable tool for children in stressful or painful situations. Apart from studying and evaluating the cognitive context's effects, researchers have also evaluated anxiety in children-youth sports. Khng (2017) utilized both pre- and post-tests to evaluate athletes' stress management, especially for anxiety, self-confidence, and concentration. Using fifth-grade elementary- school students from four different schools, the investigators used the TAI (test anxiety inventory) exam. Results showed that controlling stress resulted in improved sports