Effect of yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) on airway reactivity in subjects with asthma

doi:10.1016/0140-6736(90)91254-8

The Lancet

Volume 335, Issue 8702, 9 June 1990, Pages 1381-1383

https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(90)91254-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

The effects of two pranayama yoga breathing exercises on airway reactivity, airway calibre, symptom scores, and medication use in patients with mild asthma were assessed in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. After baseline assessment over 1 week, 18 patients with mild asthma practised slow deep breathing for 15 min twice a day for two consecutive 2-week periods. During the active period, subjects were asked to breathe through a Pink City lung (PCL) exerciser—a device which imposes slowing of breathing and a 1:2 inspiration:expiration duration ratio equivalent to pranayama breathing methods; during the control period, subjects breathed through a matched placebo device. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), peak expiratory flow rate, symptom score, and inhaler use over the last 3 days of each treatment period were assessed in comparison with the baseline assessment period; all improved more with the PCL exerciser than with the placebo device, but the differences were not significant. There was a statistically significant increase in the dose of histamine needed to provoke a 20% reduction in FEV, (PD₂₀) during pranayama breathing but not with the placebo device. The usefulness of controlled ventilation exercises in the control of asthma should be further investigated.

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Citation Excerpt :
At the end of 2 weeks, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate, symptom score, and inhaler use improved in the experimental group, when compared to controls who were breathing through a placebo device. As an indicator of airway reactivity, the dose of histamine needed to provoke a 20% reduction in FEV 1 (PD 20) was assessed, which increased significantly during Pranayama breathing but not with the placebo device [61]. Subsequent studies show stability [62,63] and improvement [64] of symptoms in patients with asthma.
Pranayama or breath regulation is considered as an essential component of Yoga, which is said to influence the physiological systems. We present a comprehensive overview of scientific literature in the field of yogic breathing. We searched PubMed, PubMed Central and IndMed for citations for keywords “Pranayama” and “Yogic Breathing”. The search yielded a total of 1400 references. Experimental papers, case studies and case series in English, revealing the effects of yogic breathing were included in the review. The preponderance of literature points to beneficial effects of yogic breathing techniques in both physiological and clinical setups. Advantageous effects of yogic breathing on the neurocognitive, psychophysiological, respiratory, biochemical and metabolic functions in healthy individuals were elicited. They were also found useful in management of various clinical conditions. Overall, yogic breathing could be considered safe, when practiced under guidance of a trained teacher. Considering the positive effects of yogic breathing, further large scale studies with rigorous designs to understand the mechanisms involved with yogic breathing are warranted.

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CLINICAL PRACTICEEffect of yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) on airway reactivity in subjects with asthma

Abstract

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

Br J Dis Chest

Effect of respiratory exercises in asthma: the Pink City Lung Exerciser

J Asthma

Yoga for bronchial asthma: a controlled study

Br Med J

An integrated approach of yoga therapy for bronchial asthma: a 3-54 month prospective study

J Asthma

Kunjal: a nonspecific protective factor in management of bronchial asthma

J Asthma

Effect of pranayam (rachaka, puraka and kumbhaka) on asthma

Lung India

Asthma: the yoga perspective part 2: yoga therapy in the treatment of asthma

J Asthma

Yogic breathing and psychologic states

Arizona Med

CLINICAL PRACTICE
Effect of yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) on airway reactivity in subjects with asthma