- Clinical trials (published clinical trials of the Buteyko breathing method)
• 1968, Institute of Pulmonology, Leningrad, USSR (bronchial asthma, hypertension and angina pectoris)
50 patients with severe bronchial asthma, hypertension and angina pectoris, all of them with many years of heavy medication, most with steroid deficiencies and organic complications; success rate 95% (Khoroscho, 1982).
• 1981, Sechenov's Medical Institute, Moscow, USSR (asthma, with pneumonia, rhinitis, chronic tonsillitis)
52 children (34 in-patients and 18 out-patients; 3-15 years old) with regular asthma attacks (once per day or more); 41 of them had pneumonia, 27 rhinitis, 36 chronic tonsillitis. All had problems with breathing through the nose, palpitations, and were bronchodilator users. In 1-5 days the patients were able to stop the attacks, cough, blocked nose, and wheezing, using the method. Observations in 1-3 months showed considerable improvements (cessation of heavy attacks or a total disappearance of the symptoms) in 83%, some improvement (less heavy attacks and considerable reduction in medication) in remaining 17%. Their average CP increased from 4 to 30 s, aCO2 from 25 to 36 mm Hg. Higher blood concentrations of IgA, IgM, IgG, and IgE were found, according to laboratory reports. Blood pressure normalised, forced expiratory volume raised over 5 times. Significant increases in lung volume, expiratory speed, and other parameters were found. Average breath holding time (CP) increased from about 3-6 s to over 30 s. For more information on this trial, visit www.buteyko.com/trials.html#children.
• Reports from two conferences in Moscow and Krasnojarsk in 1988 (large variety of health problems)
In addition to these trials, there were about 30 published reports (Buteyko method, 1992) of about 40 Russian medical doctors and health professionals, who met during two conferences in Moscow and Krasnojarsk in 1988 in order to share their practical experience of application of the Buteyko method in over 20 medical hospitals and clinics in Russia. The total reported number of treated people, according to the published conference proceedings (Buteyko, 1991), was over 3,000. Although most of them had respiratory (asthma, bronchitis, rhinitis, etc.) and cardiovascular (hypertension, angina pectoris, ischemia, etc.) problems, hundreds were treated or relieved from arthritis, osteoporosis, epilepsy, ulcers, gastritis, kidney stone problems, hepatitis, different infertility conditions, skin diseases (e.g., dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema), etc. Typical reported results were either some or essential improvement for over 90% patients, while remaining patients were not able to normalise their breathing parameters due to absence of desire or motivation and quitting the method during its initial stages. Thus, those patients who achieved large CPs significantly improved their health state. Normalization of breathing always leads to dissapperance of symptoms and no need for medication.
• 1990, Shevchenko's Central Hospital, Kiev, Ukraine (radiation disease)
50 patients with radiation sickness due to Chernobyl's nuclear plant disaster. 82% patients had considerable improvement in blood analysis, cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure, pulse, etc.), work of the digestive system, and reduction in medication. No cases of side effects or complications due to the breathing exercises were reported (Bebeshko et al, 1990; p.221, Zimchenko & Romanenko, 1991).
• 1991, Kiev Scientific and Research Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, Kiev, Ukraine (AIDS)
This trial involved 7 young patients with AIDS, two of them had HIV-infection in the lympho-adenopathic stage (Frolov et al, 1991a). Progression of this disease is usually accompanied by a variety of symptoms and complaints in the digestive, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, hormonal and other systems. The official documents of the Institute provided information about improvements in clinical symptoms and the patients’ quality of life such as emotional stability, irritability, panic attacks, chronic fatigue, insomnia, digestive complaints and some other factors. All symptoms were relieved with no side effects due to breathing retraining.
• 1991, Kiev Scientific and Research Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, Kiev, Ukraine (hepatitis and liver cirrhosis)
30 patients, mostly 20-40 years old, diagnosed with acute (6 patients) and chronic (18 patients) hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver (6 patients) applied the Buteyko method, while continuing to use traditional medication (Frolov et al, 1991b). 28 patients had remissions of their symptoms while 25 showed improvements in their blood test results. The official documents report 93% success rate.
• 1995, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia (asthma)
20 patients with a long history of asthma and significant medication. In 3 months, they decreased use of relievers (bronchodilators) by 96%, preventers (inhaled steroids) by 49%. Minute volume decreased from 14 l/min to 9.6 l/min. The symptoms' score was improved by 71% (Bowler et al, 1998).
• 1997, Perth Academy of Natural Therapies, Australia (chronic fatigue syndrome)
A study by Shellie Gaskin, as a partial fulfillment for a Diploma of Naturopathy, was conducted on 15 people diagnosed with CFS. There were following improvements: fatigue 87%, night sweats 75%, depression 70%, allergies 66%, anxiety 66%, muscular aches 60%, difficulty sleeping 54%, and headaches 50%. After 10-12 weeks all those who continued their breathing exercise regimes reported a 100% reduction in fatigue.
• 1999, Alfred Hospital, Prahan, Australia (asthma)
18 patients with mild to moderate asthma were taught the Buteyko method by a video and compared with 18 control subjects (Opat et al, 2000). The study found a significant improvement in quality of life and significant reduction in inhaled steroid use.
• 2003, Gisborne Hospital, Gisborne, New Zealand (asthma)
In this blinded randomised controlled trial conducted in 38 people with asthma Buteyko Breathing Technique group was compared with control (McHugh et al, 2003). The Buteyko group was taught by a Buteyko practirtioner Russell Stark. As in the previous western trials, the Buteyko group reduced inhaled steroid use by 50% and ß2-agonist use by 85% at six months from baseline. In the conclusions, the medical professionals wrote, “Conclusions BBT is a safe and efficacious asthma management technique. BBT has clinical and potential pharmaco-economic benefits that merit further study.” The instructions for the Buteyko group were provided by Russell Stark.
• 2003, Division of Respiratory Medicine, City Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom (asthma)
90 patients with asthma taking an inhaled corticosteroid participated in a randomised controlled trial. The groups were followed in 3 and 6 month periods (Cooper et al, 2003). “Symptoms remained relatively stable in the PCLE and placebo groups but were reduced in the Buteyko group…The Buteyko breathing technique can improve symptoms and reduce bronchodilator use…”
• 2003, Glasgow, United Kingdom (asthma)
According to the recent press release (4 December, 2003) of the British Thoracic Society (the UK’s professional body of respiratory specialists),
“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%.”
These results were found after 6 months (McGowan, 2003). This self-funded trial was possible due to heroic and sacrificial, in financial terms, efforts of the Buteyko practitioner Jill McGowan.
• 2005, Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Canada (asthma)
64 patients, all of whom were using inhaled corticosteroids, after 6 months improved their asthma control from 41% to 75% (Proceedings, 2006). Decrease in inhaled corticosteroids was found in 39% patients, elimination of steroids in 21%.
• 2006, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia (asthma)
The Buteyko method was applied for 12 weeks. Median reduction in usage of relievers was 86%, preventers 50% (Slader et al, 2006).
• 2006, Gisborne Hospital, Gisborne, New Zealand (asthma)
8 children, from 8 to 14 years old, in 12 weeks reduced their average β2-agonist use (salbutamol) by 66%, inhaled steroid (fluticasone) by 41% (McHugh et al, 2006). While 11 courses of prednisone were given 3 months before the trial, only 1 course of prednisone was required three months after the trial.
None of these trials or reports revealed any complications or side effects due to the Buteyko breathing method, although there are many important practical rules and possible complications in cases of incorrect application of the method.
