Out of puff?

Breathing exercises are used by adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What evidence do we have that they work? This is what Cochrane reviewsCochrane Reviews are systematic reviews. In systematic reviews we search for and summarize studies that answer a specific research question (e.g. is paracetamol effective and safe for treating back pain?). The studies are identified, assessed, and summarized by using a systematic and predefined approach. They inform recommendations for healthcare and research. have found:

• Asthma: while some trialsClinical trials are research studies involving people who use healthcare services. They often compare a new or different treatment with the best treatment currently available. This is to test whether the new or different treatment is safe, effective and any better than what is currently used. No matter how promising a new treatment may appear during tests in a laboratory, it must go through clinical trials before its benefits and risks can really be known. reported positive effects of breathing exercises for adults with asthma, overall there was no conclusive evidence to show whether or not they are effective. The evidence was low quality
• COPD: breathing exercises appeared safe for people with COPD. Yoga breathing, pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing improved the distance walked in six minutes by an average of 35 to 50 metres in four studies. Effects of breathing exercises on shortness of breath and well being were variableA factor that differs among and between groups of people. Examples include people’s age, sex, depression score or smoking habits.  . When added to whole body exercise training, breathing exercises did not appear to have any additional benefit. The evidence was low quality

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Links:

Freitas DA, Holloway E, Bruno SS, Chaves GSS, Fregonezi GAF, Mendonça KMPP. Breathing exercises for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD001277. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001277.pub3 – See more at: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001277/AIRWAYS_breathing-exercises-for-asthma#sthash.pAJTQqT1.dpuf

Holland AE, Hill CJ, Jones AY, McDonald CF. Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD008250. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008250.pub2 – See more at: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD008250/AIRWAYS_breathing-exercises-for-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease#sthash.frY5Ylpy.dpuf