Effects of Papworth Breathing With or Without Bridge Pose Yoga in Asthma Patients

February 23, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Effects of Papworth Breathing With or Without Bridge Pose Yoga on Dyspnea, Pulmonary Functions, Chest Expansion and Quality of Life in Asthma Patients

Asthma is a chronic condition causing airway inflammationandconstriction, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, andchest tightness. While medication is the primary treatment,complementary techniques like Papworth breathing and Bridge Pose yoga are gaining recognition for improving respiratory health and quality of life.

Papworth breathing fo cuses on slow, controlled diaphragmatic breathing to reduce anxiety and improve breathing patterns. Bridge Pose yoga opens the chest and strengthens the back, promoting deeper breathing. This study examines the effects of these techniques on asthma symptoms,lung function, chest expansion, and quality of life over 8 weeks.

The study will run for 8 weeks. It will divide participants into two groups:one practicing only Pap-worth breathing, and the other combining it with Bridge Pose Yoga. Each group will have sessions 5 times a week treatment by the Papworth method. Measurements will be taken before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in shortness of breath(BORG Scale), lung function (such as FEV1 and FVCandFEV1/FVC via digital spirometer), chest expansion and quality of life (AQLQ).

By comparing these outcomes, this study aims to determine if the combined approach of Pap-worth breathing and Bridge Pose Yoga leadstogreaterbenefits in managing dyspnea, enhancing lung function, andimprovingquality of life. These insights may contribute to enhance chest expansion,and thus relive bronchospasm in asthma patients.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

58

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Muzaffargarh, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 24200
        • DHQ Muzaffargarh

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 15-20 years with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma.
  • Both male and female
  • Mild to moderate patients with FEV1 60-80% according to GINA
  • Willing to participate and provide consent form, with parental consent if under 18 years
  • Individuals with stable asthma conditions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with severe asthma or co-existing respiratory diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
  • Any recent upper respiratory tract infections that could interfere with the intervention.
  • Individuals with physical disabilities, orthopedic, or musculoskeletal issues that would hinder safe participation in yoga poses.
  • Participants with known cardiovascular conditions (e.g., hypertension, arrhythmias, or heart failure) that may be exacerbated by physical or breathing exercises.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A: Papeworth Breathing

Frequency: Participants attended sessions 2-3 times per week for 8 weeks.

Intensity: Each session was conducted at a moderate intensity, focusing on controlled, diaphragmatic breathing techniques to regulate breathing patterns and reduce breathlessness.

Time: Each session lasted approximately 15-20 minutes, with time allocated to practice diaphragmatic breathing, nose breathing, breath control, and relaxation exercises

Type: The intervention consisted of the Papworth breathing technique, which included diaphragmatic breathing, nose breathing, breath counting and control, and relaxation exercises. Each component was practiced under the guidance of a trained therapist.
Other: Papeworth Breathing
Method: The Papworth technique was a structured breathing method designed to help individuals manage respiratory issues and anxiety through controlled, mindful breathing. Practitioners started by sitting comfortably, placing a hand on their abdomen to feel diaphragmatic movement, ensuring that future breaths originated from the abdomen rather than the chest. They inhaled deeply and slowly through the nose, allowing the abdomen to expand, then exhaled gently, maintaining a steady rhythm of about 8-12 breaths per minute. Nasal breathing was emphasized to filter and regulate airflow, while relaxation techniques helped release body tension. As they continued, practitioners adjusted their breathing to match different levels of activity or stress, using slow, controlled breaths to manage hyperventilation. With consistent practice, this method promoted calmness, improved respiratory efficiency, and reduced symptoms of asthma and anxiety, enhancing future breathing control and resilience.
Experimental: Group B: Pap-worth Breathing + Bridge Pose Yoga

Frequency: Sessions were held 5 times per week for 8 weeks, similar to Group 1.

Intensity: Participants engaged in moderate-intensity breathing exercises and yoga postures. Emphasis was placed on controlled breathing during the Bridge Pose toenhance chest opening and increase lung capacity.

Time: Each session lasted around 30 minutes, combining approximately 15-20 minutes of Papworth breathing with 5-10 minutes dedicated to practicing the Bridge Pose

Type: This group's intervention included both Papworth breathing techniques and the Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana). The Bridge Pose involved lying on the back with knees bent, lifting the hips on inhalation, and focusing on slow, controlled breathing throughout the pose. The pose was held for 15-30 seconds and repeated multiple times
Other: Pap-worth Breathing + Bridge Pose Yoga
Method: In the Bridge Pose, or Setu Bandhasana, practitioners began by lying on their back with knees bent and feet hip-width apart on the floor, keeping arms alongside the body with palms down. They positioned their feet close enough for their fingertips to touch their heels. As they inhaled, they pressed their feet into the ground, engaging the glutes to lift the hips toward the ceiling, maintaining alignment with knees over heels. Shoulders were tucked slightly under the back to support the lift, and hands could clasp beneath the pelvis if comfortable. Practitioners breathed deeply and held the position for 15-30 breaths, focusing on elevating the chest and hips with each inhale while keeping the face and neck relaxed. On an exhale, they released by gently lowering the hips back to the floor, allowing the spine to rest before moving on. This practice helped enhance flexibility, strength, and spinal alignment over time.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale
Time Frame: 8 weeks
It is a subjective tool to assess degree of dyspnea in patients. The comprise of 10 grades starting from zero to 10. Zero refers to 'No difficulty in breathing at all 'and 10 refers to 'maximal difficulty ' Readings will be taken at Pre-post intervention.
8 weeks
FEV1
Time Frame: 8 weeks
digital spirometer device will be used to take readings of lung volumes in (ml). These measurements are part of a pulmonary function test, which helps diagnose and monitor respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. Readings will be taken at Pre-post intervention.
8 weeks
FVC
Time Frame: 8 weeks
digital spirometer device will be used to take readings of lung capacities in (ml). These measurements are part of a pulmonary function test, which helps diagnose and monitor respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. Readings will be taken at Pre-post intervention.
8 weeks
FEV1/FVC
Time Frame: 8 weeks
digital spirometer device will be used to take readings of FEV1/FVC. Readings will be taken at Pre-post intervention.
8 weeks
Chest Expansion
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Tape measure will be used to take readings of chest expasion before and after intervention, at sternal, axila and xiphoid process. then average will be taken
8 weeks
Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ)
Time Frame: 8 weeks
The Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) is a validated tool designed to measure the impact of asthma on a person's daily life. Developed by Dr. Elizabeth Juniper, it assesses four key areas: symptoms, activity limitations, emotional function, and environmental stimuli sensitivity. Comprising 32 items, the AQLQ is used in both clinical practice and research to evaluate treatment efficacy and monitor patients' well-being over time. Responses are scored on a 7-point scale, with lower scores indicating greater impairment, making it an essential instrument for understanding patient-centered outcomes in asthma management
8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Hafiza Muriam Ghani, MSCPPT, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 10, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 25, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

December 25, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 23, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/RCR/&AHS/24/0387

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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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