Asthma Clinical Studies
Below are the results from five clinical trials published in reputable Western medical journals. The results are positive, consistent and far outweigh the possible benefits from any other breathing method, therapy or treatment outside of conventional management.
Furthermore, the ButeykoClinic method is without side effects, can be easily learned and a 50% improvement to asthma symptoms can be generally experienced within two weeks.
A summary of the findings as taken from The New Zealand medical journal are as follows;
| Results to expect Brisbane (1) |
Results to expect Gisborne (2) |
Results to expect Nottingham (3) |
Results to expect Gisborne Children (4) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results to expect Beta-agonist reduction |
95 | 85 | 100 | 66 |
| Results to expect Inhaled steroid reduction |
49 | 50 | 41.5 | 41 |
5) The fifth trial was conducted in 1999 at the Alfred Hospital, Prahan, Australia 18 patients with mild to moderate asthma were taught the Buteyko method by a video and compared with 18 control subjects (Opat et al, 2000). "Our results demonstrated a significant improvement in quality of life among those assigned to the BBT compared with placebo (p = 0.043), as well as a significant reduction in inhaled bronchodilator intake (p = 0.008)."
In addition to reduction in medication patients experienced significant improvements in measures of quality of life scores, symptom scores and also a reduced number of courses of oral steroids during all trials.
The conclusion of the New Zealand Medical journal was as follows;
"BBT is a safe and efficacious asthma management technique. BBT has clinical and potential pharmaco-economic benefits that merit further study."
Links to PDF and website of trials:
The New Zealand Medical Journal 2003
Buteyko trial for children: New Zealand Medical Journal 2003
Trial of Buteyko for asthma as taught by video
References:
- Bowler SD, Green A, Mitchell CA. Buteyko breathing technique in asthma: a blinded randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 1998;169:575-8. Available online. URL: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/xmas98/bowler/bowler.html Accessed May 2006. (asthma clinical studies)
- McHugh P, Aitcheson F, Duncan B, Houghton F. Buteyko breathing technique for asthma: an effective intervention. N Z Med J. 2003;116(1187). (asthma clinical studies) URL: http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/116-1187/710/
- Cooper S, Oborne J, Newton S, et al. Effect of two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a randomised controlled trial. (asthma clinical studies) Thorax. 2003;58:674-9.
- McHugh P, Aitcheson F, Duncan B, Houghton F. Buteyko breathing technique and asthma in children: a case Series. (asthma clinical study) NZMJ 19 May 2006, Vol 119 No 1234. URL: http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/119-1234/1988/
- Opat AJ, Cohen MM, Bailey MJ, Abramson MJ, A clinical trial of the Buteyko Breathing Technique in asthma as taught by a Video, J Asthma 2000; 37(7): 557-564. URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11059522&dopt=AbstractPlus