The Effect of Buteyko Breathing Technique on Asthma Patients (Buteyko Breath)

"THE EFFECT OF BUTEIKO RESPIRATORY TECHNIQUE APPLIED TO ASTHMA PATIENTS ON FATIGUE, EXERCISE CAPACITY, AND ASTHMA CONTROL"

This study was designed as a pre-test-post-test randomized controlled experimental trial to determine the effects of buteyko breathing technique application on fatigue, exercise capacity, and asthma control in asthma patients.The study, planned as a randomized controlled experimental study, included a total of 90 participants.

The sample consisted of asthma patients who applied to the Chest Diseases outpatient clinic of Gaziantep University Application and Research Hospital, had been diagnosed with asthma within the last 6 months, did not have heart failure, did not have communication or perception problems, did not have walking disabilities, and were between 18-59 years old.Following random assignment, participants were divided into two groups of 45 participants each. The groups were: 1) Buteyko 2) Control

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Asthma
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Buteyko Breathing Technique

Detailed Description

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease that affects individuals of all ages and represents a major public health problem due to its high prevalence and substantial clinical, social, and economic burden. In addition to respiratory symptoms, fatigue and functional limitations are common yet often overlooked in individuals with asthma, significantly impairing daily life. Alongside pharmacological treatments, low-cost, safe, and easily applicable non-pharmacological approaches are gaining increasing importance in asthma management. One such approach is the Buteyko breathing technique, a non-pharmacological breathing retraining method aimed at reducing hyperventilation, improving breathing patterns, and alleviating asthma symptoms. However, evidence regarding the effects of the Buteyko breathing technique on fatigue, functional exercise capacity, and asthma control remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of the Buteyko breathing technique on fatigue levels, functional exercise capacity, and asthma control in patients with asthma.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 90
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Şehitkamil
    • Gaziantep, Şehitkamil, Turkey (Türkiye), 27000
      • Gaziantep University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having been diagnosed with asthma within the last 6 months
• Absence of heart failure
• Absence of communication and perception problems
• Absence of walking impairment Being between 18-59 years of age-

Exclusion Criteria:

• -Child patients
• Those diagnosed with heart failure
• Conditions that impede walking
• Those with communication and perception problems

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Buteyko group; In the Buteyko group, in addition to standard treatment, participants received training and practice in the Buteyko Breathing Technique aimed at reducing hyperventilation. The intervention was delivered as face-to-face group training by an internationally certified instructor and included a 30-minute theoretical session followed by practical exercises. These consisted of controlled breath-holding with reduced breathing performed while seated and walking, as well as a relaxation phase focusing on nasal breathing accompanied by calming music. Mouth taping was used throughout the exercises to promote nasal breathing. Participants were instructed to perform the exercises at home three times daily, with weekly outpatient follow-up visits, and were monitored for a total of six weeks.

Other: Buteyko Breathing Technique; This intervention is distinguished by its standardized delivery by an internationally certified Buteyko practitioner and its integration of key Buteyko components, including reduced breathing, controlled breath-holding, nasal breathing with mouth taping, and relaxation. It incorporates both seated and walking-based exercises, uses objective measures such as Control Pause and step counting, and includes a structured home-based practice with weekly follow-up over six weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The Asthma Control Test (ACT)	The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a practical, patient-completed scale consisting of five questions, scored between 5 and 25 points, that assesses the level of asthma control; higher scores indicate better control.	6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Fatigue Scale (COPD)	The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Fatigue Scale (COPD) is a 12-item, five-point Likert-type scale that assesses fatigue in individuals with asthma and COPD; higher scores indicate higher fatigue levels.	6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Gaziantep
• Investigators: Study Director: Adile Neşe, University of Gaziantep

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Aluwı, M. F., Azmı, N. A., Zanudın, A., & Ramlı, A. (2025). Effect of Buteyko Breathing Technique and Inspiratory Muscle Training on Acute Exacerbation of Bronchial Asthma in a 55-Year-Old Patient: A Case Report. Buletin SK, 9(1), 55-60
• AbdElmawla Elsaid, R. A., Zahran, W. E. K., & Elsaid Hafez, D. M. (2023). Comparison of the Effects of Buteyko and Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique on Improving Pulmonary Functions and Asthma Control among Patients with Bronchial Asthma. Egyptian Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 4(3), 58-76.
• Abd Allah Abd El Hafeez, N., Khalil Hafez, M., Mohamed Ahmed, Z., Metwally El-Sayed, M., Abdelwahab Khedr, M., & Fathy Ahmed Dawood, R. (2025). Evaluating the Effect of Buteyko Breathing Technique in Enhancing Asthma Control and Life Quality Among Asthma Patients: A Nursing-Led Quasi-Experimental Study. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 16(1), 831-852.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 15, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 25, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): July 25, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 13, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 13, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 13, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Fatigue; Exercise Capacity; Asthma,; Breathing Exercises; Asthma Control; Buteyko
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Immune System Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Bronchial Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Hypersensitivity; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Asthma; Fatigue
• Other Study ID Numbers: Buteyko Breathing Technique

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No