Breathing exercises for asthma
Breathing exercises for asthma
Educational aims
•To summarise the evidence of the role of breathing control approaches in the management of asthma
•To provide information on the content of evidence-based breathing exercises programmes
Summary Asthma is a complex, multi-dimensional condition that affects patients in many ways. Having asthma is inherently stressful and psychological problems are common and associated with poor asthma outcomes. Although most patients in clinical trials can achieve high levels of control with optimised pharmacotherapy, in “real-life” practice, poor control is common, with over-reliance on rescue bronchodilator medication and ongoing symptoms and quality-of-life impairment. Many patients are interested in non-pharmacological treatments to improve asthma control, particularly breathing control exercises but, until recently, the evidence base has been inadequate. The place of breathing exercises has been controversial, partly because some proponents have made exaggerated, implausible claims of effectiveness. Recent evidence, however, has resulted in endorsement of breathing exercises as add-on treatment in asthma in systematic reviews and guidelines.
This review summarises the current evidence of effectiveness of breathing exercises programmes as an adjuvant treatment to pharmacological strategies for people with asthma. The types of breathing training programmes used and the content of effective programmes are discussed. We conclude that patients whose asthma continues to cause symptoms and quality-of-life impairment, despite adequate pharmacological treatment, or who have high bronchodilator use, should be offered access to an effective breathing training programme as a part of holistic, integrated asthma care.
Key points
•Asthma is frequently poorly controlled despite effective modern medication
•Psychological factors can be as important as physiological ones in affecting symptom perception and disease impact
•Breathing exercises can improve patient-reported outcomes and psychological state
•Breathing exercises should be offered to all asthma patients with symptoms or impaired quality of life despite standard treatment
312-322
Thomas, M.
f5239f6a-49f5-4645-9f1c-37ae8fbcd0d5
Bruton, A.
9f8b6076-6558-4d99-b7c8-72b03796ed95
1 December 2014
Thomas, M.
f5239f6a-49f5-4645-9f1c-37ae8fbcd0d5
Bruton, A.
9f8b6076-6558-4d99-b7c8-72b03796ed95
Abstract
Educational aims
•To summarise the evidence of the role of breathing control approaches in the management of asthma
•To provide information on the content of evidence-based breathing exercises programmes
Summary Asthma is a complex, multi-dimensional condition that affects patients in many ways. Having asthma is inherently stressful and psychological problems are common and associated with poor asthma outcomes. Although most patients in clinical trials can achieve high levels of control with optimised pharmacotherapy, in “real-life” practice, poor control is common, with over-reliance on rescue bronchodilator medication and ongoing symptoms and quality-of-life impairment. Many patients are interested in non-pharmacological treatments to improve asthma control, particularly breathing control exercises but, until recently, the evidence base has been inadequate. The place of breathing exercises has been controversial, partly because some proponents have made exaggerated, implausible claims of effectiveness. Recent evidence, however, has resulted in endorsement of breathing exercises as add-on treatment in asthma in systematic reviews and guidelines.
This review summarises the current evidence of effectiveness of breathing exercises programmes as an adjuvant treatment to pharmacological strategies for people with asthma. The types of breathing training programmes used and the content of effective programmes are discussed. We conclude that patients whose asthma continues to cause symptoms and quality-of-life impairment, despite adequate pharmacological treatment, or who have high bronchodilator use, should be offered access to an effective breathing training programme as a part of holistic, integrated asthma care.
Key points
•Asthma is frequently poorly controlled despite effective modern medication
•Psychological factors can be as important as physiological ones in affecting symptom perception and disease impact
•Breathing exercises can improve patient-reported outcomes and psychological state
•Breathing exercises should be offered to all asthma patients with symptoms or impaired quality of life despite standard treatment
Text
Breathing exercises for asthma published.pdf
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: November 2014
Published date: 1 December 2014
Organisations:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 379939
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/379939
ISSN: 1810-6838
PURE UUID: fcd08b96-140d-4480-bd9d-86273ee38a82
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Date deposited: 25 Aug 2015 10:46
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:49
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Contributors
Author:
M. Thomas
Author:
A. Bruton
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