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The role of breathing training in asthma management

The role of breathing training in asthma management
The role of breathing training in asthma management
Purpose of review: There is considerable public interest in the use of breathing modification techniques in the treatment of asthma. Surveys suggest many people with asthma use them, often without the knowledge of their medical attendants. Extravagant claims have been made about the effectiveness of some techniques, resulting in scepticism from orthodox clinicians. The evidence supporting breathing training for asthma was previously weak, and limited by the small size and methodological limitations of published research.

Recent findings: The evidence base for the effectiveness of breathing training has recently improved, with reports from several larger and more methodologically robust controlled trials. These trials are reviewed in this study, and the findings placed in context. Trials have investigated a variety of breathing training programmes delivered by different therapists in different ways. All incorporate some instruction in breathing pattern, usually focusing on slow, regular, nasal, abdominal breathing and reduced ventilation, with patients instructed to practise exercises at home and when symptomatic.

Summary: Current evidence suggests that breathing training programmes can be effective in improving patient-reported outcomes such as symptoms, quality of life and psychological impact; and may reduce the use of rescue bronchodilator medication. There is little evidence that airways physiology, hyper-responsiveness or inflammation is affected by such training. The optimal way of providing breathing training within the context of routine asthma care is still uncertain.

1528-4050
53-57
Bruton, Anne
9f8b6076-6558-4d99-b7c8-72b03796ed95
Thomas, Mike
d05fc21a-7f09-45d8-b6f6-2ed740db8c23
Bruton, Anne
9f8b6076-6558-4d99-b7c8-72b03796ed95
Thomas, Mike
d05fc21a-7f09-45d8-b6f6-2ed740db8c23

Bruton, Anne and Thomas, Mike (2011) The role of breathing training in asthma management. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 11 (1), 53-57. (doi:10.1097/ACI.0b013e3283423085). (PMID:21150439)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Purpose of review: There is considerable public interest in the use of breathing modification techniques in the treatment of asthma. Surveys suggest many people with asthma use them, often without the knowledge of their medical attendants. Extravagant claims have been made about the effectiveness of some techniques, resulting in scepticism from orthodox clinicians. The evidence supporting breathing training for asthma was previously weak, and limited by the small size and methodological limitations of published research.

Recent findings: The evidence base for the effectiveness of breathing training has recently improved, with reports from several larger and more methodologically robust controlled trials. These trials are reviewed in this study, and the findings placed in context. Trials have investigated a variety of breathing training programmes delivered by different therapists in different ways. All incorporate some instruction in breathing pattern, usually focusing on slow, regular, nasal, abdominal breathing and reduced ventilation, with patients instructed to practise exercises at home and when symptomatic.

Summary: Current evidence suggests that breathing training programmes can be effective in improving patient-reported outcomes such as symptoms, quality of life and psychological impact; and may reduce the use of rescue bronchodilator medication. There is little evidence that airways physiology, hyper-responsiveness or inflammation is affected by such training. The optimal way of providing breathing training within the context of routine asthma care is still uncertain.

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Published date: 8 February 2011

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 178839
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/178839
ISSN: 1528-4050
PURE UUID: 18375f95-1f01-45d8-8264-4f11bdd4fc9b
ORCID for Anne Bruton: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-4550-2536

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Date deposited: 31 Mar 2011 11:04
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:49

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Contributors

Author: Anne Bruton ORCID iD
Author: Mike Thomas

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