buteyko method Asthma symptoms decreased by an average of 98% · Use of reliever inhalers decreased by an average of 98%

Press Release on Glasgow Study





Embargoed until 00.01hrs Thursday 4 December

BREATHING EXERCISES IMPROVE ASTHMA

Learning to breathe properly could ‘significantly improve’ asthma and quality

of life for the 5.1 million people with asthma in the UK, according to new

research presented today at the British Thoracic Society’s (BTS) Winter

Meeting (Thursday 4th December).

Nurse, Jill McGowan, led the world’s largest clinical trial to measure the

effects of the Buteyko method (breathing retraining exercises in conjunction

with conventional asthma management). 384 of the initial 600 participants

(64%) completed the trial.

Those patients who were taught the Buteyko Institute Method all experienced

significant improvement in asthma, with reduced symptoms, reduced

medication and improvement in quality of life.

· Asthma symptoms decreased by an average of 98%

· Use of reliever inhalers decreased by an average of 98%

· Use of preventor inhalers decreased by an average of 92%

· Instance of cold or flu decreased by an average of 20%

The Buteyko Institute Method is designed to help people with asthma slow

their breathing to normal levels. It is also suggested for a range of other

breathing related conditions such as hay fever, sinusitis, sleep apnoea,

emphysema and anxiety and panic attacks.

Dr John Harvey, chair of the BTS Communications Committee commented:

"As lung specialists, we know from clinical experience that spending even a

small amount of time teaching patients how to manage their condition and to

control their breathing appropriately can reduce both the number of asthma

attacks and improve their quality of life.

"However, I would stress that the Buteyko method should not be practiced in

isolation but as a complementary addition to conventional asthma treatment."

Jill McGowan said: "This study clearly demonstrates that teaching people with

asthma to breathe correctly with the Buteyko Institute Method provides

significant improvements.

"The Buteyko Institute Method will be key in reducing patients’ reliance on

their inhalers and helping people manage their asthma with significantly less

medication and feeling more in control of their condition."

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