Slow breathing for reducing stress: The effect of extending exhale.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Slow breathing techniques are commonly used to reduce stress. While it is believed by mind-body practitioners that extending the exhale time relative to inhale increases relaxation, this has not been demonstrated.

Methods

We conducted a 12-week randomized, single-blinded trial among 100 participants to compare if yoga-based slow breathing with an exhale greater inhale versus an exhale equals inhale produces measurable differences in physiological and psychological stress among healthy adults.

Results

Participants mean individual instruction attendance was 10.7 ± 1.5 sessions out of 12 offered sessions. The mean weekly home practice was 4.8 ± 1.2 practices per week. There was no statistical difference between treatment groups for frequency of class attenda

SUBMITTER: Birdee G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10395759 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature