Specializing in emotional stress and cardiovascular disease, John M. Kennedy, MD, functions as the medical director of an interdisciplinary team at Kindred Health Systems, where he oversees the daily, evidenced-based care of patients. Outside of the hospital, John M. Kennedy, MD, serves as the CEO of Encardia Wellness, which operates under the goal of lowering stress among medical professionals.
In an effort to highlight the effectiveness of Encardia’s seven-step BREATHE methodology, Dr. Kennedy and his colleague Dr. Lyssette Cardona conducted a study that included 29 physicians at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. These physicians, representing 10 medical disciplines, were encouraged to use the app-based program during breaks at work and record their heart rate before and after use.
Each of the physicians who participated in the study experienced a decrease in heart rate after using the app, while the average decline was 5 beats per minute from 70 to 65. The use of guided imagery and controlled breathing was the reason attributed to an increase in parasympathetic tone, which, in turn, lowers heart rate. A similar study among registered nurses proved to be equally effective at reducing stress in the workplace.
