Buteyko breathing can benefit asthma
29 July 2003

Buteyko breathing exercises can improve asthma symptoms in some people, research has found. The study was funded by the National Asthma Campaign to examine the effects on asthma symptoms of using two different breathing techniques: Buteyko and pranayama, (a yoga breathing exercise).

The researchers, led by scientist Sue Cooper at the University of Nottingham's Division of Respiratory Medicine, found that the patients in their study who practised Buteyko breathing exercises twice a day experienced improved asthma symptoms and were able to cut use of their reliever inhalers by up to two puffs a day. However, there was no improvement to their lung function and they were not able to reduce their dosage of inhaled steroids taken to keep their asthma under control. Those using pranayama showed no benefits to their asthma.

'The Buteyko technique appeared to help these patients adapt to their asthma and feel more in control of their treatment,' said Ms Cooper. 'However, we didn't find evidence to suggest that the underlying disease is altered.'

The study comes at a time when people with a range of medical conditions are increasingly interested in complementary medicines. One recent survey of people with asthma showed that a third of respondents had used complementary or alternative treatments.

The Buteyko technique was developed by Russian scientist Konstantin Buteyko, whose theory that asthma is caused by hyperventilation led him to devise a system of breathing exercises designed to reduce breathing rate and depth. Yoga has been used to treat asthma in Eastern societies for centuries.

'The National Asthma Campaign receives many enquiries about the Buteyko breathing technique every year,' said Philippa Major, the Campaign's assistant director of research. 'We are delighted to have been able to fund this research into the effectiveness of Buteyko in controlling asthma symptoms and we are pleased it gives people a better understanding of how using the technique may help.'

Ninety volunteers with asthma were involved in the six-month study. They were shown either Buteyko breathing exercises or how to use a breathing device that mimics the effect of pranayama, called a Pink City Lung Exerciser (PCLE). The control group was given training in using the PCLE but received a placebo device.

Sue Cooper regards the positive results of the Buteyko technique as encouraging: 'The technique may well be worth trying with patients who are sympathetic to the ethos of the Buteyko technique and if they are willing to spend time learning and practising it.' Philippa Major echoes this view: 'Whilst it is not a cure for asthma, it may enable some people to cope better with their symptoms when used alongside conventional asthma treatment.'

'The National Asthma Campaign is keen to invest in research that has practical relevance and can improve the daily life experiences of people with asthma,' she added. 'To address this, the Campaign has funded a further study into breathing techniques to test whether a more general approach to breathing retraining can improve asthma control and provide long term benefits to people with asthma.'

However, Anne Pearson, Asthma UK Adviceline nurse, cautioned that people should not stop taking their medication, even if they are using Buteyko or other complementary treatments: 'Until more is known about breathing techniques and other complementary therapies it is important to continue treatments prescribed by your doctor and to take medical advice. If you have any concerns, call the Asthma UK Adviceline on 08457 01 02 03.'

The research was published in Thorax.