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Asthma Treatment: Buteyko Breathing Technique

A Complementary Approach to Asthma Treatment: Buteyko Breathing Technique

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07105306
Enrollment
24
Registered
2025-08-05
Start date
2018-06-01
Completion date
2019-06-03
Last updated
2025-08-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Asthma

Keywords

Asthma, Buteyko, complementary therap

Brief summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of BBT training on asthma control, quality of life, and pulmonary function among asthma patients.The findings suggest that BBT may be a potentially effective complementary approach. However, given the small sample size and short follow-up duration, larger studies with longer-term follow-up are necessary to confirm and generalize these results.

Detailed description

According to certain perspectives, hyperventilation plays a significant role in the manifestation of asthma symptoms. The Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT), which targets dysfunctional breathing patterns, has been reported to reduce symptoms of hyperventilation and associated anxiety in asthmatic individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of BBT training on asthma control, quality of life, and pulmonary function among asthma patients. Between June 2018 and June 2019, this randomized controlled trial was conducted at the asthma outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Approximately 450 asthma patients presented during the study period; 36 eligible participants were assessed, 12 were excluded, and the remaining 24 individuals were randomized (block randomization, block size = 4) into an intervention group (n=12) and a control group (n=12). The intervention group received BBT training and daily practice sessions, while the control group received standard breathing education-based on the Life with Asthma booklet-including abdominal and diaphragmatic breathing techniques. All participants were evaluated at baseline and at week 6 using the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), and pulmonary function tests (FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, control pause (CP)). Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0; independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and repeated-measures ANOVA were applied.

Interventions

OTHERButeyko Breathing Technique Training

Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT), developed in the 1950s, which focuses on reducing dysfunctional hyperventilation patterns through breath control and extended breath-holding phases called control pauses

Sponsors

Seçil Beyece İncazli
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

randomized controlled trial

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

included patients who: * were followed in the asthma outpatient clinic of the university hospital, * had stable asthma (no exacerbation in the last 6 weeks), * had no communication problems, * had no history of smoking, * were using inhaled corticosteroids regularly (without dose changes in the past 4 weeks), * voluntarily agreed to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

were as follows: * presence of another chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., COPD, bronchiectasis), * psychiatric illness history or use of psychiatric medications, * cognitive impairment or inability to follow instructions, * pregnancy or breastfeeding, * participation in another clinical trial simultaneously.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Asthma ControlBaseline to 6 months after interventionAsthma control will be assessed using the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6). Higher scores indicate worse control. Scores range from 5 to 25, with lower scores indicating better asthma control. The original Cronbach's alpha was reported as 0.85; in this study, the internal consistency was calculated as 0.88.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026