Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blinded randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the effect of Buteyko breathing techniques (BBT) in the management of asthma. Design Prospective, blinded, randomised study comparing the effect of BBT with control classes in 39 subjects with asthma. The study was conducted from January 1995 to April 1995. Participants and setting Subjects recruited from the community, aged 12 to 70 years, with asthma and substantial medication use. Main outcome measures Medication use; morning peak expiratory flow (PEF); forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1); end-tidal (ET) CO2; resting minute volume (MV); and quality of life (QOL) score, measured at three months. Results No change in daily PEF or FEV1 was noted in either group. At three months, the BBT group had a median reduction in daily beta 2-agonist dose of 904 micrograms (range, 29 micrograms to 3129 micrograms), whereas the control group had a median reduction of 57 micrograms (range, -2343 micrograms to 1143 micrograms) (P = 0.002). Daily inhaled steroid dose fell 49% (range, -100% to 150%) for the BBT group and 0 (range, -82% to +100%) for the control group (P = 0.06). A trend towards greater improvement in QOL score was noted for BBT subjects (P = 0.09). Initial MV was high and similar in both groups; by three months, MV was lower in the BBT group than in the control group (P = 0.004). ET CO2 was low in both groups and did not change with treatment. Conclusion Those practising BBT reduced hyperventilation and their use of beta 2-agonists. A trend tow…
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Bowler et al. did not report a significant difference for quality of life improvement in HVS patients undergoing Buteyko breathing techniques compared with a control group.
“In the literature, Bowler and colleagues61 did not report a significant difference for quality of life improvement in patients with HVS undergoing Buteyko breathing techniques in comparison with control group.”
From Physiotherapy Education and Breathing Retraining for Patients With Hyperventilation Syndrome: An Observational Study (2026) · cites this paper as [61]
In those studies, quality of life improved between the beginning and the end of treatment; quality of life was assessed using specific questionnaires.
“However, in the latter studies, quality of life improved between the beginning and the end of treatment; quality of life was assessed using specific questionnaires (Saint George questionnaire or asthma quality of life questionnaire).”
From Physiotherapy Education and Breathing Retraining for Patients With Hyperventilation Syndrome: An Observational Study (2026) · cites this paper as [61]
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References 14 · Cited by 184
- Authors
- Bowler, S. D., Green, A., & Mitchell, C. A.
- Affiliations
- Mater Adult Hospital (AU)
- Royal Brompton Hospital (GB)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Venue
- Medical Journal of Australia
- Publisher
- AMPCo
- Published
- 1998-12
- Volume
- 169
- Issue
- 11-12
- Pages
- 575-578
- ISSN
- 0025-729X (ISSN-L)
- 1326-5377
- OpenAlex
- W2116572595
- Cited by
- 184
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 4.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- The Medical Journal of Australia (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Respiratory and Cough-Related Research
- Keywords
- Buteyko breathing technique, asthma, hyperventilation, inhaled corticosteroids, peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume, end-tidal carbon dioxide, quality of life, medication use
- MeSH terms
- Salmeterol Xinafoate, Adolescent, Adrenergic beta-Agonists, Adult, Aged, Albuterol, Asthma, Bronchodilator Agents, Child, Combined Modality Therapy, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Respiratory Function Tests, Respiratory Therapy, Steroids
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