Breathing Technique Training Research Articles

Effects of Buteyko Breathing Technique versus Diaphragmatic Breathing on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a prevalent condition characterized by decreased respiratory function and reduced quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation techniques, specifically Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) and Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique (DBT), have been suggested to improve these aspects in COPD patients. However, comparative efficacy of these techniques remains uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of BBT and DBT on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with COPD. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial (WHO Registry of IRCTs: NCT05947227), 48 COPD patients (aged 40-65 years) were enrolled and randomly assigned to either BBT or DBT groups. Both groups underwent respective breathing technique training as part of pulmonary rehabilitation over a 10-month period at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Key measurements included the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) for exercise capacity and the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for quality of life assessment. The Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale was used to categorize dyspnea severity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 25), with parametric and non-parametric tests applied for comparative analysis. Results: Both groups showed improvement post-intervention, but DBT demonstrated superior outcomes. Quality of life scores improved from an average of 85.33 (SD=1.110) to 76.06 (SD=4.503) in the DBT group, compared to 87.16 (SD=4.55) to 83.10 (SD=5.76) in the BBT group (p=0.000). Similarly, 6MWT distances showed significant improvement in the DBT group. The DBT group also exhibited a more considerable enhancement in activity scores and dyspnea reduction compared to the BBT group. Conclusion: While both BBT and DBT are effective in improving exercise capacity and quality of life in COPD patients, DBT shows a more significant improvement. These findings suggest that DBT could be a more favorable technique in pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients.

Perceived stress and physiological consistency during mental stress exercises and controlled breathing

IntroductionThe measurement of the physiological coherence, the order and the quality of the connection of complex systems such as the cardiac and the respiratory system, varies in situations of stress and relaxation.ObjectivesWe aim to assess changes in physiological coherence and perception of stress during mental stress and directed breathing exercises.MethodsRepeated-measures study in healthy adults without prior training in breathing techniques, aged between 18 and 65 years of both sexes who were evaluated in three situations: baseline, mental stress (Stroop test and successive subtractions), and directed breathing, during which were captured heart rate and respiratory signals to estimate physiological coherence and the participants rated the perceived stress at each moment.Results34 participants were analyzed, 59% women, with a median age of 36 years (Rq = 13). During mental stress tasks, the median for physiological coherence was similar to baseline coherence but increased significantly with five minutes of directed breathing exercises (38% vs. 63% p <0.0001). The highest perception of stress was during successive subtractions (Me 7, Rq = 4) and the lowest during directed breathing exercises (Me 2 Rq = 3.0). The correlation was sought between physiological coherence and perception of stress during each of the four moments of the study. Basal (Rho Spearman -0.05, p 0.54); Stroop (Rho -0.17, p 0.03); successive subtractions (Rho 0.50, p 0.77); and directed breathing (Rho -0.28, p 0.09).ConclusionsA correlation was found between physiological coherence and perception of stress during the Stroop test; however, no association was found.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Clinical case: OnLine intervention proposal for a patient with symptoms of depression and anxiety

Anxiety and depression are some of the biggest mental health issues that have been increasing because of the actual contingency that was established because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Therefore, several studies have developed treatment proposals, an objective that is shared within this case study. The work carried out is a proposal for an intervention based on the Cognitive Behavioral Theory to a 21-year-old female patient, who manifests symptoms of depression and anxiety. The patient was evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Manifest Anxiety Scale in Adults-C, Hamilton Evaluation Scale for Depression, and the Beck-II Depression Inventory. To expand the data, resources such as the Clinical Map of Pathogenesis and the Map of Scope of Goals were used for the functional analysis of the behavior for the formulation of the case. On the other hand, based on the collection of data from the patient and the results obtained, it was determined that the proposal of the most effective strategies for the case was the following: 1. psychoeducation, 2. cognitive restructuring technique, 3. training in breathing techniques, 4. relaxation technique training, 5. sleep hygiene training, and 6. mindfulness technique.

Study of the effect of Buteyko breathing technique in patients with hypertension – A case series

Introduction: The condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure is called as hyper tension. Dr. K P Buteyko developed a set of breathing exercises called the Buteyko Method. The breathing techniques of this method are unusual in that people are asked to breathe less rather than more and holding the breath is considered as important as breathing. The breathing here is a nasal breathing pattern. Aim: To assess the haemodynamic changes following Buteyko Breathing Technique training for 2 weeks in hypertensive subjects Objectives: To assess the effects of the Buteyko Breathing Technique on pulse rate, blood pressure and control pause by. Materials and Methods: After screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria, 6 participants were included in the study. The intervention duration was for 2 weeks, 6 days/week and the number of sessions were recorded. The technique was taught through a DVD. Each session lasted for 15 – 20 minutes. Sessions were conducted at a fixed time every day. Results: The mean reduction in pulse rate was 2.5 ± 1.04/minute, systolic blood pressure 4.16 ± 3.76 mm of Hg and diastolic blood pressure 5 ± 3.16mm of Hg respectively. Conclusion: There was a reduction in pulse and BP following 2 weeks of Buteyko training. Keywords: Hypertension, Buteyko breathing technique, Breath-holding techniques, Control, Pause, Carbon dioxide retention.

Yoga and breathing technique training in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundCurrent therapies for heart failure (HF) are followed by strategies to improve quality of life and exercise tolerance, besides reducing morbidity and mortality. Some HF patients present changes in the musculoskeletal system and inspiratory muscle weakness, which may be restored by inspiratory muscle training, thus increasing respiratory muscle strength and endurance, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2), functional capacity, respiratory responses to exercise, and quality of life. Yoga therapies have been shown to improve quality of life, inflammatory markers, and peak VO2 mostly in HF patients with a reduced ejection fraction. However, the effect of different yoga breathing techniques in patients showing HF with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remain to be assessed.Methods/designA PROBE (prospective randomized open blinded end-point) parallel-group trial will be conducted at two specialized HF clinics. Adult patients previously diagnosed with HFpEF will be included. After signing informed consent and performing a pre-test intervention, patients will be randomized into three groups and provided with either (1) active yoga breathing techniques; (2) passive yoga breathing techniques (pranayama); or and (3) control (standard pharmacological treatment). Follow-up will last 8 weeks (16 sessions). The post-intervention tests will be performed at the end of the intervention period for analysis of outcomes. Interventions will occur continuously according to patients’ enrollment. The main outcome is respiratory muscular resistance. A total of 33 enrolled patients are expected. The present protocol followed the SPIRIT guidelines and fulfilled the SPIRIT checklist.DiscussionThis trial is probably the first to assess the effects of a non-pharmacological intervention, namely yoga and specific breathing techniques, to improve cardiorespiratory function, autonomic system, and quality of life in patients with HFpEF.Trial registrationREBEC Identifier: RBR-64mbnx (August 19, 2012).Clinical Trials Register: NCT03028168. Registered on 16 January 2017).

A randomised controlled trial of three or one breathing technique training sessions for breathlessness in people with malignant lung disease.

BackgroundAbout 90 % of patients with intra-thoracic malignancy experience breathlessness. Breathing training is helpful, but it is unknown whether repeated sessions are needed. The present study aims to test whether three sessions are better than one for breathlessness in this population.MethodsThis is a multi-centre randomised controlled non-blinded parallel arm trial. Participants were allocated to three sessions or single (1:2 ratio) using central computer-generated block randomisation by an independent Trials Unit and stratified for centre. The setting was respiratory, oncology or palliative care clinics at eight UK centres. Inclusion criteria were people with intrathoracic cancer and refractory breathlessness, expected prognosis ≥3 months, and no prior experience of breathing training. The trial intervention was a complex breathlessness intervention (breathing training, anxiety management, relaxation, pacing, and prioritisation) delivered over three hour-long sessions at weekly intervals, or during a single hour-long session. The main primary outcome was worst breathlessness over the previous 24 hours (‘worst’), by numerical rating scale (0 = none; 10 = worst imaginable). Our primary analysis was area under the curve (AUC) ‘worst’ from baseline to 4 weeks. All analyses were by intention to treat.ResultsBetween April 2011 and October 2013, 156 consenting participants were randomised (52 three; 104 single). Overall, the ‘worst’ score reduced from 6.81 (SD, 1.89) to 5.84 (2.39). Primary analysis [n = 124 (79 %)], showed no between-arm difference in the AUC: three sessions 22.86 (7.12) vs single session 22.58 (7.10); P value = 0.83); mean difference 0.2, 95 % CIs (–2.31 to 2.97). Complete case analysis showed a non-significant reduction in QALYs with three sessions (mean difference –0.006, 95 % CIs –0.018 to 0.006). Sensitivity analyses found similar results. The probability of the single session being cost-effective (threshold value of £20,000 per QALY) was over 80 %.ConclusionsThere was no evidence that three sessions conferred additional benefits, including cost-effectiveness, over one. A single session of breathing training seems appropriate and minimises patient burden.Trial registrationRegistry: ISRCTN; Trial registration number: ISRCTN49387307; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN49387307; registration date: 25/01/2011Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12916-015-0453-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A randomised trial of high vs low intensity training in breathing techniques for breathless patients with malignant lung disease: A feasibility study

Background Breathlessness remains a refractory symptom in malignant lung disease. Breathing training is an effective, non-pharmacological intervention but it is unclear how this should be delivered. This feasibility study aimed to assess recruitment and retention, best end point and variability of breathlessness scores in order to calculate sample size for a future study. Method This was a single centre, randomised controlled non-blinded parallel group feasibility study. Eligible participants (breathless patients with intrathoracic malignancy) received three breathlessness management training sessions or a single session only. Follow-up was for eight weeks and endpoints were: numerical rating scales (NRS) of breathlessness severity; breathlessness distress; HADS questionnaire; coping (BriefCOPE and our NRS coping question); EQ-5D and EQ-VAS. Results 22 patients were randomised over 12 months; 55% of expected recruitment from pilot data. Screening logs indicated this resulted, in part, from excluding patients who were receiving or who had recently received chemotherapy or radiotherapy. There was 40% drop-out by week four. The most useful NRS scores for breathlessness severity were for “worst” and “average” over past 24 h. From the variability data for “worst breathlessness”, a sample size of 270 should allow detection of a 30% improvement in area under the curve in the three-session group compared with single-session, (90% power; p = 0.05, two-tailed; 2:1 randomisation single:three sessions) allowing 50% drop out at four weeks. Conclusions The follow-on study will test the hypothesis that three sessions of training improve breathlessness better than a single session. It will include patients undergoing palliative anti-cancer therapy. Stratification by centre will allow for differences in rates of chemotherapy or radiotherapy and variations in breathlessness service configuration.

The living, breathing actor

Summary Meticulous training in breathing techniques is essential for actors. Although there are many approaches to teaching breathing, the basic requirement is a sequential system of exercises that identify and isolate the parts of the respiratory process that strengthen and control the breath and that incorporate breathing into performance. Careful planning for a patient and specific method of training actors in breathing techniques is recommended