Breathing Techniques for Asthma
Summary: Ten years of published studies 1998 - 2008
It surprises many people to learn that, according to medical literature, no other treatment for asthma has ever achieved better results than Buteyko's Method.
There are now more than seven published studies demonstrating the efficacy of breathing retraining programmes such as Buteyko in asthma management. In all these studies asthmatics have achieved significant reduction in asthma medication and improvement in symptom scores without loss of airway calibre.
These studies clearly identify dysfunctional breathing as a significant component in asthma. Breathing re-training programmes like Buteyko should be regarded as complimentary rather than alternative to standard asthma management. Access to funding for investigation of non-drug therapies is difficult, particularly as most research is sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. However, in light of the social and economic burden of asthma and the potential benefit of breathing techniques the challenge to those working in the field of asthma management to meaningfully contribute to the evidence is clear.
Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blinded randomised trial
A trial involving 39 asthmatics was conducted in Brisbane from January 1995 to April 1995. One group was taught Buteyko and the other was given conventional asthma education.
Results after 12 weeks showed a 96% reduction in reliever medication and 49% reduction in preventer medication for the Buteyko group. This compared with a 5% reduction in reliever medication and no reduction in preventer medication for the control group.
‘In conclusion, we found that those practising the Buteyko breathing technique (BBT) reduced hyperventilation and their use of beta2-agonists. A trend toward reduced inhaled steroid use and better quality of life was observed in these patients without changes in objective measures of airway calibre.’
Simon D Bowler, Amanda Green and Charles A Mitchell Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blinded randomised controlled trial Medical Journal of Australia 1998; 169: 575-578
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Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention
The study was carried out in 2000 and involved 38 asthmatics aged between 18 and 70. One group learned the Buteyko method while the other was given conventional asthma education and relaxation techniques.
Results from the six-month trial showed an 85% reduction in inhaled relievers and a 50% reduction in inhaled steroids for the Buteyko group. The control group showed a 37% reduction in reliever medication and no change in their preventer medication after six months.
‘The Buteyko Breathing Technique is a safe and efficacious asthma management technique. BBT has clinical and potential pharmaco-economic benefits that merit further study.’
Patrick McHugh, Fergus Aitcheson, Bruce Duncan and Frank Houghton Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention NZMJ 12 December 2003 V 116 No 1187
See full text on New Zealand Medical Association website
Health Education: Does the Buteyko Institute Method make a difference?
Six hundred adult patients aged 18-69 years diagnosed and treated for asthma were recruited to a randomized controlled trial. This tested active Buteyko (Group 1) with asthma nurse education (Group 2) and continued medication control (Group 3). The main outcome measures were quality of life (SF36), activity, asthma symptoms, and medication reduction. A total of 384 completed the study at 24 months.
Preliminary results published in Thorax reports those patients who were taught the Buteyko Method showed a 98% reduction in reliever medication and a 92% reduction in preventer medication. All experienced an average of 98% reduction in asthma symptoms and improvement in quality of life.
Thorax British Thoracic Society Abstracts Dec 2003 Vol 58 supplement III
Link to British Thoracic Society press release
Buteyko and Pranayama breathing exercises in asthma Nottingham City Hospital 2003
Ninety patients with asthma were selected for comparison of Buteyko and Pranayama breathing techniques. A Pink City Lung Exerciser (PCLE) was used to mimic Pranayama. Sixty nine patients completed the study.
‘The Buteyko breathing technique can improve symptoms and reduce bronchodilator use but does not appear to change bronchial responsiveness or lung function in patients with asthma.’
S Cooper, J Oborne, S Newton, V Harrison, J Thompson Coon, S Lewis and A Tattersfield Effect of two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a randomised controlled trial Thorax 2003;58:674-679
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Buteyko breathing technique in children: a case series
Twenty-six children were identified of whom 8 (aged 7–16 years) were eligible for inclusion; being previously diagnosed with asthma by their GP and using medication for asthma for at least 6 months with significant use of medication for asthma in the 2 weeks prior; no prior instruction in BBT; and no significant unstable medical condition.
Beta agonist reliever medication was reduced by 66% and inhaled corticosteroid use by 41%. Of the eight participants, one reported “no change” in his/her asthma, six reported “slightly improved”, and one reported “markedly improved”. There were no reports of asthma deterioration.
‘Given the association between the Buteyko breathing technique (BBT) and medication reduction in this group of children, and the similarity with adults, we suggest that BBT would merit exploration by a randomised controlled trial in children.’
Patrick McHugh, Fergus Aitcheson, Bruce Duncan, Frank Houghton Buteyko breathing technique and asthma in children: a case series NZMJ 19 May 2006, Vol 119 No 1234
Source: http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/119-1234/1988/
Integrated breathing and relaxation training (the Papworth method) for adults with asthma in primary care: a randomised controlled trial
Eighty-five patients were individually randomised to the control group or to the intervention group receiving five sessions of treatment by the Papworth method. Both groups received usual medical care. Respiratory symptoms and mood scores were recorded at baseline, post-treatment (6 months after baseline) and at 12 months. The primary outcome measure was the St George’s Respiratory Symptoms Questionnaire (SGRQ). Secondary outcome measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Nijmegen dysfunctional breathing questionnaire and objective measures of respiratory function.
‘Dysfunctional breathing commonly occurs in asthma but is poorly recognised and managed. This study suggests that the Papworth method is effective at reducing respiratory symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with asthma.’
Further controlled trials are warranted to confirm this finding, assess the effect in other patient groups and determine whether there is some effect on objective measures of respiratory function.
Holloway EA, West RJ Use of the Papworth method for adults with asthma
Thorax 2007; 62:1039-42
Source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/thx.2006.076430
A Randomised Controlled Trial of the Buteyko Technique for Asthma Management
One hundred and twenty nine adults 18-50 years of age with asthma were randomised, 65 to the Buteyko group and 64 to the control group. The control group was trained by a physiotherapist in breathing and relaxation techniques. One hundred and nineteen of the participants were followed up at six months.
‘This randomised clinical trial showed that both the Buteyko and control (physiotherapy) interventions produced a favourable outcome in that over 70% of the participants enjoyed asthma control 6 months after completing the intervention. In addition, the subjects in the Buteyko group were able to significantly reduce their daily doses of inhaled corticosteroid.’
Robert L. Cowie, Diane P. Conley, Margot F. Underwood, Patricia G. Reader
A randomised controlled trial of the Buteyko technique as an adjunct to conventional management of asthma Respiratory Medicine May 2008 (Vol. 102, Issue 5, Pages 726-732)
Source: http://www.resmedjournal.com/article/S0954-6111(07)00511-2/abstract
