The Effect of Pranayama Breathing Technique on Asthma Control, Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life

TC Erciyes University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Asthma

Treatments: Behavioral: Pranayama Breathing Technique; Behavioral: Relaxation technique

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04110951

TDK-2017-7652

Details and patient eligibility

About

Most of the asthma patients prefer complementary and integrative applications as they continue to experience asthma symptoms despite pharmacological treatment. Pranayama, one of these treatments, is a breathing-based technique and is a part of yoga, an ancient Indian science. This study was carried out as randomized controlled single blind study in order to analyze the effect of pranayama breathing technique applied to individuals suffering from asthma on asthma control, pulmonary functions and quality of life. The study comprised 50 patients in total, as 25 patients in pranayama group and 25 patients in control group. The approval of ethics committee, permissions from the institutions, and informed voluntary approval of the individuals were obtained to conduct the research. The data of the research were collected through the application of Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), pulmonary function test (PFT), and patient observation chart. Pranayama breathing technique was applied to pranayama group 20 minutes once a day for four weeks, and relaxation technique was applied to relaxation group similarly in addition to standard treatment. ACT, AQLQ, and PFT were evaluated twice as before and after the one month of application process. Meanwhile, the patients' PEF measurements were followed with individual PEF meter on daily basis. The value of p<0.05 was accepted statistically significant in the data analyses.

Enrollment: 50 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Can communicate,
• To have an increase of %12 or 200 ml in FEV1 value after inhaler bronchodilator at breathing function test,
• To have chronic asthma diagnose with 6 months approved by doctors and receiving treatment,
• Asthma controls are not under control or partly under control in relation to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) values,
• Taking beta2-agonist and/or ICS twice a week or more to control asthma symptoms,
• There is not any chance in inhaler bronchodilator drug potions during the last four weeks,
• Can use a smart phone.

Exclusion criteria

• To have lung diseases such as COPD,
• To have tuberculosis and respiratory infection,
• To have diabetes and coronary artery disease,
• Smokers
• Pregnant or nursing mother,
• Doing regular exercise,
• Benefitng from other complementary and integrative health applications during treatments

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

Pranayama group

Experimental group

Description:

Kapalbhati, Ujjayi and Anuloma-Viloma pranayama techniques were applied to the experimental group. Within this scope, a three days of applied training program was prepared and a guide involving the steps of Pranayama breathing technique was formed. The patients in of pranayama group were trained by the researcher who had yoga trainer certificate. After completing three days of training and observations regarding their accomplishment of applications properly, a pranayama breathing technique video showing how the pranayama breathing technique is done with its details was downloaded to their smartphones and a guide including the application steps was distributed to the patients. The patients were required to apply pranayama technique, in company with the video, 20 min every day and a month in total.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Pranayama Breathing Technique

Relaxation group

Active Comparator group

Description:

As there was not placebo breathing control treatment appropriate to yoga breathing technique, relaxation technique was decided to apply in the second group to equalize psychological effects of the treatment. Progressive relaxation technique was taught to the relaxation group during the same training span.A three days of applied training program and Relaxation Technique Application Guide, including steps of progressive relaxation technique, were prepared within this scope. After completing three days of training and observations regarding their accomplishment of applications properly, a relaxing music to listen during applications and a training video involving progressive relaxation directives were downloaded to smartphones of the patients. Also, Relaxation Technique Application Guide involving application steps were distributed to the patients. The patients were required to apply relaxation technique, in company with the video, 20 min every day and a month in total.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Relaxation technique