There appears to be some promising findings from a new study, conducted to establish the effects of yoga when applied to chronic respiratory disease patients suffering from dyspnea (shortness of breath), sleep quality and fatigue. Given the current global health situation, and the increasing prevalence of ‘Long Covid’ and its impact upon respiratory function, you can see why we approach these results with interest as yoga therapists.
This study was conducted between May and August 2020 as a randomized controlled study.
The British Medical Research Board for the evaluation of dyspnea was used in data collection in this Turkish research, alongside the ‘Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Fatigue Scale’. While applying the Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, patients are asked to indicate the activity level that causes dyspnea. The patient chooses the most appropriate level that defines the respiratory distress by reading the options on the scale. The options are graded from 0 to 4; 0 points, no dyspnea; 1 point of mild dyspnea (respiratory distress when moving fast on a flat surface and climbing slightly uphill); 2 points of moderate dyspnea (walk slower than peers when walking on a flat surface, pausing to breathe); 3 points are scored as severe dyspnea (stopping to breathe after walking for 100 meters or a few minutes) and 4 points as very severe dyspnea (breathlessness while wearing clothes, taking off or going to the toilet while doing daily work at home).
The study found “When the post-test mean scores of the patients in the experimental and control group were compared, it was found that CAFS, CASIS and mMRC mean scores of the patients in the experimental group decreased positively compared to the patients in the control group and the difference between was found to be statistically significant”
The full outcome of this research is still pending, and it will be incredibly useful to gain further information as to the type of yoga practiced by the patients in the experimental group.
And while we await further research and larger studies, the researchers concluded that “Yoga has been found to reduce the severity of dyspnea and fatigue and improve sleep quality in chronic respiratory diseases”.
Against the backdrop of Coronavirus, and the potential that these findings may offer in terms of easing symptoms of ‘Long Covid’, this study also supports prior studies looking at yoga and asthma.
According to Asthma UK:
5.4 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children (1 in 11) and 4.3 million adults (1 in 12).
In 2016/17 (the most recent data available) there were 77,124 admissions to hospital for asthma in the UK.
The NHS spends around £1 billion a year treating and caring for people with asthma.
A 2014 review with 824 participants found that while yoga couldn’t yet be recommended as a routine treatment, it could supplement existing therapy, especially if it makes the asthma sufferer feel better. (1) Another from 2016 came upon similar results, finding moderate evidence that yoga provides some benefits to those living with asthma. (2)
With the guidance of a yoga therapist, people with asthma can promote more effective breathing and develop their breath control through yogic breathing exercises. People with asthma often find their body has to work harder to breathe correctly, and they may develop more anxiety concerning their breath, which can exacerbate symptoms. Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing can open airways, strengthen abdominal muscles and improve heart and lung function, potentially soothing asthma symptoms and making sufferers feel more in control.
As stress is a trigger (and can exacerbate other triggers) of asthma attacks, yoga’s function of calming people’s nervous system and relieving panic can be extremely valuable for those living with asthma. For most people, having an asthma attack can be extremely frightening, and over time fear of symptoms may grow. Yoga ends this cycle of stress and builds people’s confidence in their body and ability to breathe.
Yoga involves learning how to breathe deeply in and out and find a natural, balanced breathing pattern. Over time this helps to increase lung capacity and enhance breath control, which in turn reduces any anxiety someone may feel towards their breath.
This latest study can be accessed here:
Prior studies referenced above: here
