Breathing and Relaxation Exercises for Asthma: a Randomised Controlled Trial

A Physical Therapy Treatment for Adults Diagnosed With Asthma in Primary Care: a Randomised Controlled Trial

All patients on the GP asthma database in one practice were invited for an asthma physical-therapy assessment, at baseline. Volunteers satisfying the inclusion criteria ie - aged between 16 and 70, able to understand, read and write English, give informed consent, willing to attend the surgery to take part in the trial and with no other serious conditions - were invited to participate in the study. Patients were randomised either to a control group, receiving 2 more assessments at 6 and 12 months, or for comparison to a group receiving 5 physical-therapy treatments of integrated breathing and relaxation exercises (known as the Papworth Method (PM)). The two groups would then be compared at 6 and 12 months.

Hypotheses:

1. The PM of breathing and relaxation training would improve the quality of life for adult patients with asthma in primary care, compared with patients only receiving usual medical care.
2. Anxiety and depression, and symptoms from dysfunctional breathing would reduce compared with the control group.
3. Respiratory function measurements would improve compared with the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• doctor diagnosed asthma, volunteers from the practice asthma database
• 16-70 years of age
• able to understand, speak and write English
• willing to give informed consent
• willing and able to attend the surgery for assessments and treatments

Exclusion Criteria:

• serious co-morbid conditions