Bronchiectasis Adult, Yoga
Conditions
Keywords
Yoga, Bronchiectasis, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Quality of Life, Respiratory Function
Brief summary
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease characterized by persistent cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and recurrent infections, which can reduce physical capacity and quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as exercise-based approaches, are increasingly used to support symptom management in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an eight-week online yoga program on exercise capacity, dyspnea severity, respiratory function, and quality of life in adults with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. A total of 70 participants were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group or a control group. The yoga group participated in supervised online sessions three times per week, including breathing exercises, postures, and relaxation techniques, while the control group received usual care without additional intervention. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after eight weeks using pulmonary function tests, the six-minute walk test (6MWT), the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The study investigated whether yoga could provide a safe and effective complementary approach to improve symptoms and functional capacity in individuals with bronchiectasis.
Detailed description
Bronchiectasis is a chronic and progressive respiratory disorder characterized by irreversible bronchial dilatation, chronic airway inflammation, and recurrent infections. Patients commonly experience dyspnea, reduced exercise tolerance, fatigue, and impaired quality of life. In addition to pharmacological treatments, pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise-based interventions play an important role in symptom management and functional improvement. Yoga is a mind-body intervention that integrates breathing exercises (pranayama), physical postures (asanas), and relaxation techniques. Previous studies in chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have demonstrated that yoga can improve respiratory muscle function, ventilatory efficiency, and overall well-being. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in bronchiectasis remains limited. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of an eight-week online yoga program on pulmonary function, functional exercise capacity, dyspnea perception, and disease-specific quality of life in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Participants were recruited from the Department of Chest Diseases at Istanbul Medipol University between January 2025 and October 2025. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group or a control group using a computer-generated randomization method. The intervention consisted of 24 supervised online yoga sessions delivered over eight weeks (three sessions per week). Each session included structured breathing exercises, postural practices, and relaxation techniques designed to improve respiratory control, chest expansion, and physical awareness. The control group received standard care without additional intervention during the study period. Outcome measures included spirometric parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75), functional exercise capacity assessed by the six-minute walk test (6MWT), dyspnea severity measured by the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, and health-related quality of life evaluated using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Assessments were performed at baseline and after the eight-week intervention period. The study aimed to determine whether yoga could serve as a safe, feasible, and effective complementary intervention to improve functional outcomes and symptom burden in individuals with bronchiectasis, particularly in the context of accessible and remote rehabilitation models.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALYoga Program
The intervention consisted of an eight-week online supervised yoga program including breathing exercises (pranayama), physical postures (asanas), and relaxation techniques. Sessions were conducted three times per week, totaling 24 sessions. The program was designed to improve respiratory control, chest expansion, and overall physical awareness.
Sponsors
Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Due to the nature of the intervention (yoga program), neither participants nor investigators were blinded to group allocation.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group or a control group in a parallel design. The intervention group received an eight-week supervised online yoga program, while the control group received usual care without additional intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
30 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 30-55 years * Diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis based on clinical and radiological findings * Clinically stable condition * No participation in a structured exercise program within the previous 3 months * Voluntary agreement to participate
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of additional respiratory diseases * Acute exacerbation or antibiotic use within the previous 4 weeks * Physical or cognitive impairments limiting participation * Age above 55 years
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWT) | Baseline and 8 weeks | The change in functional exercise capacity assessed by the six-minute walk test (6MWT), measured as the distance (in meters) walked in six minutes. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dyspnea Severity (mMRC Scale) | Baseline and 8 weeks | Dyspnea severity assessed using the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale (0-4), where higher scores indicate greater breathlessness. |
| Health-Related Quality of Life (SGRQ) | Baseline and 8 weeks | Disease-specific quality of life assessed using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), including symptom, activity, impact, and total scores (0-100 scale, higher scores indicate worse quality of life). |
| FEV1 | Baseline and 8 weeks | Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1), Pulmonary function assessed as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) using spirometry. |
| FVC | Baseline and 8 weeks | Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Pulmonary function assessed as forced vital capacity (FVC) using spirometry. |
| FEV1/FVC | Baseline and 8 weeks | FEV1/FVC Ratio, Pulmonary function assessed as the ratio of FEV1 to FVC using spirometry. |
| PEF | Baseline and 8 weeks | Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Pulmonary function assessed as peak expiratory flow (PEF) using spirometry. |
| FEF25-75 | Baseline and 8 weeks | Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF25-75), Pulmonary function assessed as forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75) using spirometry. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed