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The Papworth method is a diaphragmatic breathing technique for asthma sufferers, that incorporates both breathing and relaxation, introduced by physiotherapists in the 1960s for people with asthma and dysfunctional breathing. The cycle of breathlessness and wheezing resulting from an asthma attack is often accompanied by anxiety. The Papworth method helps to reduce asthma symptoms and the anxiety that arises from hyperventilating, which tends to improve the mood of the sufferer.
The Papworth method is a sequence of breathing and relaxation exercises developed at Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire, more than 40 years ago. The method teaches asthma sufferers how to transition from rapid shallow breathing during times of stress to relaxed deep breathing. It also teaches people how to manage their stress response, relax, and integrate breathing techniques into their daily lives. Techniques learned are reinforced by home exercises.
Until recently there hadn’t been any random trials to determine if the Papworth method is effective. Doctors Elizabeth A. Holloway and Robert J. West, from University College London in the United Kingdom, assessed the findings from 85 asthma patients. The patients were randomly chosen to receive either usual care, which was the control group, or five training sessions of the Papworth method.
Respiratory symptoms and mood were evaluated at the beginning of the study, again at six, and at 12 months.
Holloway and West realized during their study that patients trained in the Papworth method experienced greater improvement in respiratory symptoms than the control group. Reductions were noted in anxiety, depression, and dysfunctional breathing in the Papworth method group. However, there were not significant differences between the two groups in respiratory function. Determinations were based on the St. George’s Respiratory Symptoms Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Nijmegen dysfunctional breathing questionnaire, and objective measures of respiratory function.
The story goes on to suggest that further controlled trials are warranted to confirm this finding.
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Thorax Published online June 15, 2007
Medscape Medical News 2007
That’s interesting. I’ll have to look into this for my son.
I signed my son up for a yoga camp, and he liked it so much that he has asked to have weekly yoga sessions. The yoga lady says that he is breathing correctly but a little too shallow. She is going to be working with him on learning deeper breathing, which we hope will help w/the asthma, too.
- Faith