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Review

The Buteyko breathing technique

for asthma: a review
A Bruton et al. Complement Ther Med. 2005
Mar.

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Abstract
Breathing exercises and breathing retraining are
often used in the management of asthma. One
specific form of breathing therapy, known as the
Buteyko breathing technique (BBT) has received
considerable attention, but there is a paucity of
rigorous research evidence to support its
recommendation for asthma patients. There are
only four published clinical trials and two
conference abstracts evaluating BBT. Although
all have reported improvements in one or more
outcome measures, results have not been
consistent. This article provides the background
to the BBT, reviews the available evidence for its
use and examines the physiological hypothesis
claimed to underpin it. In common with other
therapies, BBT is not a standardised treatment
modality. The BBT 'package' is complex, as it
also includes advice and education about
medication use, nutrition and exercise, and
general relaxation. This makes it difficult, and
possibly inappropriate, to attempt to tease out a
single mechanism. Buteyko's theory relating to
carbon dioxide levels and airway calibre is an
attractive one, and has some basis in evidence
from experimental studies. However, it is not
known whether altering breathing patterns can
raise carbon dioxide levels significantly, and
there is currently insufficient evidence to
confirm that this is the mechanism behind any
effect that BBT may exert. Further research is
necessary to establish unequivocally whether
BBT is effective, and if so, how it may work.

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Publication types
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms
Adult
Asthma / drug therapy
Asthma / therapy*
Breathing Exercises*
Humans
Quality of Life
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Respiration*

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