Research and guidelines

British Thoracic Society (BTS) & Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). British Guideline on the Management of Asthma. www.brit-thoracic.org.uk. [Online] 2019. [Cited: 9 September 2019.] 9781 905813 285. page 60

Behavioural programmes centred on breathing exercises and dysfunctional breathing reduction techniques (including physiotherapist-delivered breathing programmes such as the Papworth Method, and the Buteyko Method) can lead to modest improvements asthma symptoms, quality of life and reduce bronchodilator requirement in adults with asthma, although have little effect on lung function or airway inflammation. These techniques involve instruction by a trained therapist in exercises to reduce respiratory rate, minute volume and to promote nasal, diaphragmatic breathing. Trials that include more than five hours of intervention appeared more likely to be effective than shorter courses. They should ideally be provided as part of integrated medical care.”

Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). The Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention. www.ginasthma.org. [Online] 2019. [Cited: 9 September 2019.] Appendix 2019, p. 42

“A systematic review  of studies of breathing and/or relaxation exercises for asthma and/or dysfunctional breathing, including the Buteyko and Papworth Method, reported significant but small improvements in symptoms, quality of life and/or psychological measures, but not in physiological outcomes or risk of exacerbations.”

PubMed.gov is a useful resource if you would like further information on these papers.

Hepworth, C, Sinha, L, Saint, GL and Hawcutt, DB Assessing the impact of breathing retraining on asthma symptoms and dysfunctional breathing in children. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2019, Vol. 54, No. 6, pp. 706-712.19

Mendonca, KMPP, Macedo, TMF and Freitas, DA et al. Buteyko method for children with asthma and mouth breathing: A randomised controlled trial. American Journal of Critical Care Medicine. 2017, Vol. 195, A2204.

Mendonca, KMPP, et al. Buteyko method for children with asthma: a randomised controlled trial. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. American Thoracic Society International Conference 30 Sept 2017, 2017, 9.

Karpagam, K and Mangalagowri, P & Aruna, S. Effectiveness of Buteyko breathing technique on level of peak expiratory flow rate and asthma symptoms among patients with bronchial asthma. International Journal of Pharmacology & Biosciences. 2017, Vol. 8, 3, pp. B457-B464.

Gudjonsdottir, M & Van Oosten, M. Effect of Buteyko breathing retraining method on resting ventilation and asthma control in asthma patients (Conference Abstract). European Respiratory Journal Conference. 2015.18

Mohamed, E H A, et al. Buteyko breathing technique versus incentive spirometer on breath hold time after coronary artery bypass graft. Medical Journal of Cairo University. 2014, Vol. 82, 1, pp. 651-656.17

Prem, V, Sahoo, R C & Adhikari, P. Comparison of the effects of Buteyko and Pranayama breathing techniques on quality of life in patients with asthma- a randomised controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2013, Vol. 27, 2, pp. 133-141.

Oosthuizen, JC and Fenton, J & Adelola, O. Buteyko breathing technique- evaluation of nasal response by acoustic rhinometry (Conference Abstract). Journal of Medical Science. 2013.

Adelola, O A, Oosthuvien, J C & Fenton, J E. Role of Buteyko breathing techniques in asthmatics with nasal symptoms. Clinical Otolaryngology. 2013, Vol. 38, 2, pp. 190-191.6

Hassan, Z M, Riad, N M and Ahmed, F H. Effect of Buteyko breathing technique on patients with bronchial asthma. Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis. 2012, Vol. 61, pp. 235-241.15

Cooper, S et al. Effect of mouth taping at night on asthma control: a randomised single-blinded crossover study. Respiratory Medicine. 2009, Vol. 103, 9, pp. 813-819.

Cowie, R et al. A randomised controlled trial of the Buteyko Breathing Technique as an adjunct to the conventional management of asthma. Respiratory Medicine. 2008, Vol. 102, 5, pp. 726-732.

This is the largest randomised controlled trial to date with 129 asthma volunteers randomised to BBT or ‘breathing and relaxation’.

Cooper, S, et al. Effect of two breathing exercises (Buteyko and Pranayama) in asthma: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax. 2003, Vol. 58, 8, pp. 649-659.8

McHugh, P et al. Buteyko breathing technique for asthma: an effective intervention. New Zealand Medical Journal. 2003, Vol. 116.

Opat, A J, et al. A clinical trial of the Buteyko Breathing Technique in asthma as taught by a video. Journal of Asthma. 37, 2000, Vol. 7, pp. 557-564.

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