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 β₂‐agonist dose of 904 μg (range, 29 μg to 3129 μg), whereas the control group had a median reduction of 57 μg (range, –2343 μg to 1143μg) (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 β₂‐agonists. A trend toward reduced inhaled steroid use and better quality of life was observed in these patients without objective changes in measures of airway calibre.