Effectiveness of Buteyko Breathing Technique on Dyspnea and Asthma Control in Patients with Asthma

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition characterized by variable respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. Dyspnoea is one of the important symptoms and may negatively affect activity and quality of life. Breathing retraining, including the Buteyko breathing technique, is used as a non-pharmacological approach in asthma management.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 40 subjects with asthma. Participants were randomly allocated by simple random method into Group A (n=20), which received Buteyko breathing technique with medical management, and Group B (n=20), which received conventional therapy including diaphragmatic breathing with medical management. The intervention lasted four weeks, 30 minutes per session, three days per week, for a total of 12 sessions. Dyspnoea and asthma control were assessed using the Modified Borg Scale and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). Data were analysed using SPSS version 24. Paired t-test and independent t-test were used with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Group A showed a reduction in ACQ score from 2.06 ± 0.750 to 1.30 ± 0.554 and Modified Borg score from 4.60 ± 0.940 to 1.85 ± 0.745. Group B showed a reduction in ACQ score from 2.13 ± 0.784 to 1.89 ± 0.745 and Modified Borg score from 4.65 ± 0.933 to 3.80 ± 0.894. Between group post-test comparisons were significant for ACQ (t=-2.86, p=.001) and Modified Borg Scale (t=-7.49, p=.001).

Conclusion: Between-group post-test comparisons showed statistically significant differences; however, the Buteyko breathing technique group demonstrated greater improvement in asthma control and dyspnoea than conventional breathing therapy.