Discussion in medical literature has highlighted the existence of dysfunctional or abnormal breathing patterns in people with asthma. The Australian Doctor (11 May 2001), in an article entitled “Study explains success of Buteyko” 4, quoted research published in the British Medical Journal (May 2001) establishing a strong link between asthma and “a complex of abnormal breathing symptoms suggestive of hyperventilation syndrome or dysfunctional breathing”. The researchers recommended that, “if dysfunctional breathing is as common as our data show, facilities for breathing retraining need to be available as part of the overall management of asthmatic patients”. 5
Funding needs to be made available for new trials to be conducted, to investigate and report on the application of the Buteyko Institute Method for further studies on asthma, and also for other conditions such as Sleep Apnoea, sleep disturbances and allergies. The BIBH has established the ‘Buteyko Institute Trust’ (United Kingdom) and the ‘Buteyko Institute Gift Fund’ (Australia) to help provide resources for current and future research. Donations to both funds are tax deductible. Please contact the Institute for further information.
1 Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blinded randomised trial
Simon D Bowler, Amanda Green and Charles A Mitchell
Medical Journal of Australia 1998; 169:575-578
2 Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention
Patrick McHugh, Fergus Aitcheson, Bruce Duncan, Frank Houghton
Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association, 12-December-2003, Vol 116 No 1187
3 "Health Education: Does the Buteyko Institute Method make a difference?"
Jill McGowan, Education and training consultant in Asthma Management.
Thorax Vol 58, suppl III, page 28, December 2003.
4 Study explains success of Buteyko
Megan Howe
Australian Doctor, p 20, 11 May 2001
5 Prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in patients treated for asthma in primary care: a cross sectional survey
M Thomas, RK McKinley, E Freeman, C Foy
British Medical Journal 2001;322:1098-1100 (5 May 2001)
6 Bronchodilators appear to increase inflammation, potentially worsening asthma, heart failure, and lupus, study findings suggest.
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006
