Trial reportThorax2003
Effect of two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a randomised controlled trial.
Trial report in Thorax, 2003. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 36 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
The Effect of Pranayama Breathing Technique on Asthma Control, Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of the Combination of General Relaxation (Mindfulness) and Respiratory (Buteyko) Techniques for the Improvement of Poorly Controlled Asthma. The MBA Study
Who cites it
36 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 211 citations in OpenAlex.
- Breathing techniques to reduce symptoms in people with serious respiratory illness: a systematic review.European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society · 2024Pooled it
- Breathing exercises for adults with asthma.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2020Pooled it
- Yoga for asthma.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- Breathing exercises for children with asthma.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- Characteristics of randomized controlled trials of yoga: a bibliometric analysis.BMC complementary and alternative medicine · 2014Pooled it
- Breathing exercises for dysfunctional breathing/hyperventilation syndrome in adults.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2013Pooled it
- Psychosocial factors and behavioral medicine interventions in asthma.Journal of consulting and clinical psychology · 2013Pooled it
- Effects of the Buteyko breathing technique on sleep quality, fatigue, and oxygen saturation in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.BMC cardiovascular disorders · 2026Trial
- Effect of Buteyko breathing technique on clinical and functional parameters in adult patients with asthma: a randomized, controlled study.European journal of medical research · 2024Trial
- Yoga Therapy as an Adjuvant in Management of Asthma.Indian journal of pediatrics · 2021Trial
- Trial
- The BREATHE study: Breathing REtraining for Asthma--Trial of Home Exercises. a protocol summary of a randomised controlled trial.Primary care respiratory journal : journal of the General Practice Airways Group · 2013Trial
- The efficacy of a comprehensive lifestyle modification programme based on yoga in the management of bronchial asthma: a randomized controlled trial.BMC pulmonary medicine · 2009Trial
- Characteristics of yoga users: results of a national survey.Journal of general internal medicine · 2008Trial
- Trial
- Double blind randomised controlled trial of two different breathing techniques in the management of asthma.Thorax · 2006Trial
- Physiotherapy Education and Breathing Retraining for Patients With Hyperventilation Syndrome: An Observational Study.Physiotherapy Canada. Physiotherapie Canada · 2026Article
- Breath of relief: Transforming pediatric asthma care with telemedicine-guided exercises.Clinical and translational allergy · 2025Article
- Comprehensive exercise program based on optimal physiotherapy for asthma-related quality of life: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2025Review
- Visual biofeedback for paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM).Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPatients with asthma are interested in the use of breathing exercises but their role is uncertain. The effects of the Buteyko breathing technique, a device which mimics pranayama (a yoga breathing technique), and a dummy pranayama device on bronchial responsiveness and symptoms were compared over 6 months in a parallel group study.
methodsNinety patients with asthma taking an inhaled corticosteroid were randomised after a 2 week run in period to Eucapnic Buteyko breathing, use of a Pink City Lung Exerciser (PCLE) to mimic pranayama, or a PCLE placebo device. Subjects practised the techniques at home twice daily for 6 months followed by an optional steroid reduction phase. Primary outcome measures were symptom scores and change in the dose of methacholine provoking a 20% fall in FEV(1) (PD(20)) during the first 6 months.
resultsSixty nine patients (78%) completed the study. There was no significant difference in PD(20) between the three groups at 3 or 6 months. Symptoms remained relatively stable in the PCLE and placebo groups but were reduced in the Buteyko group. Median change in symptom scores at 6 months was 0 (interquartile range -1 to 1) in the placebo group, -1 (-2 to 0.75) in the PCLE group, and -3 (-4 to 0) in the Buteyko group (p=0.003 for difference between groups). Bronchodilator use was reduced in the Buteyko group by two puffs/day at 6 months; there was no change in the other two groups (p=0.005). No difference was seen between the groups in FEV(1), exacerbations, or ability to reduce inhaled corticosteroids.
conclusionThe Buteyko breathing technique can improve symptoms and reduce bronchodilator use but does not appear to change bronchial responsiveness or lung function in patients with asthma. No benefit was shown for the Pink City Lung Exerciser.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.