Breathing training improves quality of life, but isn't likely to decrease the need for regular anti-inflammatory medication treatment in asthma according to an online report in Thorax.
Researchers from the Department of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, UK performed a randomized controlled trial--a type of research trial designed to see if one method is more effective than another method--to determine if formal breathing training improves quality of life and actual asthma control. Respiratory therapists provided breathing training for one group of patients, while nurses provided standard asthma education to the other group. The intervention consisted of specific abdominal (belly) and nasal breathing techniques. Participants were encouraged to practice the exercises for at least 10 minutes each day.
After six months, quality of life scores were significantly improved in the group performing breathing training exercises compared to the group receiving traditional asthma education. Additionally, measures of anxiety and depression were also decreased among the respiratory training group. However, while the breathing training was associated with slightly better reported control of asthma symptoms, measures of actual, objective asthma control like peak expiratory flow rate were not significantly different between the groups.
While the study did not demonstrate a decreased need for asthma medication, breathing training may benefit patients whose asthma impairs their quality of life. Importantly, the intervention was relatively brief and differences persisted for six months without additional training.
So what is the take home message for me and my asthma? Breathing training may not decrease your need for medication, but it may significantly improve your ability to live with your asthma and decrease anxiety or depression related to asthma. Importantly, breathing exercises are not hard to learn, won't cost you anything, and can be learned in a short time period.
For more information, check out a series of videos that demonstrate how to do breathing exercise that were shown in a 2006 article to improve not only quality of life, but also asthma control.
You can also check out a series of articles about the Buteyko Breathing Method-- a specific type of breathing training.
- What Are Buteyko Breathing Exercises?
- Will Buteyko Breathing Method Improve My Asthma?
- Is Buteyko Breathing For Everyone?
- How Do I Perform Buteyko Breathing?
Mike Thomas et. al. Thorax (2008). Breathing exercises for asthma: a randomised controlled trial. Published Online First: 3 December 2008.
I learned the Buteyko method in 2005. After 35 years of asthma, I have required no asthma medications, since about 3 weeks after learning the breathing exercises. What this article is missing is an explanation regarding what the Buteyko method is about.
Most asthmatics snore or have episodes of deep breathing during sleep. This is chronic hyperventilation. This is the underlying cause of asthma (and many other conditions). As the breathing exercises reduce snoring, asthma decreases and disappears.
It’s amazing how long it is taking the medical community to figure this out.
I didn’t even know I had asthma until I learned the Buteyko Method. I wanted energy and help for facial muscle problems. It helped everything. There really is no other breathing method that will work as the Buteyko Breathing. The exercises retrain the brain to breathe less nasally. Mouth breathing never got results like this for me. In fact worsened the condition.
My daughter has had asthma all her life and was on steroid puffers since she was 1 year of age. Last year at age 10 she did the Buteyko Breathing Method course, and has been off ALL her asthma meds since then (ventolin and flovent). She was also able to particpate in a horse camp after doing Buteyko breathing, which would have been unheard of before (due to allergies and asthma). It’s been life-changing for us!
I had had increasingly severe asthma for 66 years when I was advised by my M.D. to take a Buteyko course in 2002. I did the exercises diligently and after some months was able to get off all my medications–steroid inhaler, cromolyn inhaler, long and short acting relievers. I am not totally free of asthma, but now it takes a year for me to get through one less-strong steroid inhaler and one albuterol inhaler. It has changed my life. I learned with an excellent teacher in Seattle in 2002, and have since trained to teach this myself (I am an R.N., trained in England). I am now a proud founding member of the Buteyko Breathing Educators Association, a non-profit organization with high qualifying standards which trains new educators and provides continuing education. We have members and trainers with almost 20 years of experience.
I am surprised that none of them are listed on your Educator list but you can find them at http://www.buteykoeducators.org
Thank you for your very informative and helpful article. It is very important that people understand that because of complications, questions and misunderstandings, the Buteyko Method is best learned under the guidance of a certified practitioner. Unfortuately, there are some out there who, though well-meaning and honorable people, have not been trained by the co-founders and patent holders of the Method and who are unknowingly spreading misinformation. This can be potentially dangerous, especially for very sick people. The Buteyko Center USA is the only facility outside of Moscow licensed to train and certify practitioners world-wide. Contact http://www.buteykocenterusa.com for information, a list of certified teachers, testimonials, a letter from Ludmila Buteyko that addresses this issue, and much more.