Papworth breathing technique helps asthmatics

New research is suggesting that an old-fashioned breathing and relaxation technique could help those with asthma.

The technique, the Papworth technique, was first used in the 60's and is a series of integrated breathing and relaxation exercises involving a specific diaphragmatic breathing technique.

The technique emphasises nose breathing and developing a breathing pattern to suit the activity being done and along with relaxation training and education, people integrate the exercises into their daily lives and are able to recognise the early signs of stress.

The researchers at University College London (UCL) suggest the Papworth technique could complement asthma medication but not replace it.

The technique was tested in a trial of 85 people with mild asthma, and it was found the symptoms of those using the Papworth technique alongside drugs were significantly eased.

The technique became forgotten as a treatment as medication for asthma improved, but the researchers found that those in the trial who continued to rely solely on their medication scored 33.5 in the St George's Respiratory Syndrome Questionnaire, while those who used the Papworth technique for 12 months scored 24.9 on the scale.

The St George's Respiratory Syndrome Questionnaire is a survey which asks patients how often they have coughed, wheezed or brought up phlegm; the scale measures the severity of symptoms out of 100.

A non-asthma patient is likely to score 11 or 12.

Researcher Elizabeth Holloway of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL, says the difference of nearly nine points between those who used the technique and those who did not is clinically significant.

The breathing technique is integrated it into patients everyday lives and they use it while they sit, stand, walk and talk.

The findings are supported by other studies from Australia and the UK which show that breathing exercises can help to reduce the need for medication and can improve the quality of life of people with asthma.

Experts however say it is vital that people with asthma continue to take their prescribed medication alongside any additional breathing training.

Asthma affects almost 20 million Americans, including 6.3 million children and more than 5.2 million people in the UK are currently being treated for asthma.

It affects approximately one in 12 adults and one in eight children.

The research is published online ahead of print in Thorax.