DYSPNEA IMPROVEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG DISEASES IN A SINGLE SESSION OF MINDFUL BREATHING: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

Abstract

Background and Aims: Mindful breathing has been practised in recent decades and there is a lack of study for it as a nonpharmacological method in improving dyspnea. This study was to assess the efficacy of mindful breathing in improvement of dyspnea score, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate in patients with lung diseases. Methods: Sixty three inward patients, diagnosed with lung cancer, acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma (AEBA) or acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), were recruited and assigned randomly into intervention and control groups. They reported their dyspnea score according to Modified Borg Dyspnea scale while oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured. The parameters were assessed at baseline, at 5 mins and at 20 mins. Results: Mindful breathing significantly reduced the dyspnea score among all patients in 5 min (OR = 12.886, 95% CI = 3.588, 46.282 , P < 0.001) and 20 minutes (OR = 5.378, 95% CI = 1.832, 15.790, P = 0.002), oxygen saturation in 5 min (OR = 4.050, 95% CI = 1.137, 14.432, P = 0.025) and respiratory rate in 20 min (OR = 3.069, 95% CI = 1.094, 8.613, P = 0.031). Significant early dyspnea score reduction was observed in 5 min in mindful breathing group among patients with lung cancer. (P = 0.041) In a subgroup of patients with AEBA, mindful breathing conferred significant sustained dyspnea reduction in 5 min (P = 0.006); in 20 min (P = 0.003) and early oxygen saturation in 5 min (P = 0.039). In mindful breathing group among patients with AECOPD, a significant reduction in dyspnea score was observed in 5 minute (P = 0.034) while delayed respiratory rate improvement was demonstrated in 20 min (P = 0.035). Conclusion: Mindful breathing is a quick, easy and useful therapy and has a significant effect in dyspnea reduction among patients with lung diseases. Further studies with a larger sample size are recommended to discover more potential effects of mindful breathing in the subgroups of patients.