Effect of Yoga Breathing (Pranayama) on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, many patients do not have access to pulmonary rehabilitation programs. We hypothesized that an alternative to pulmonary rehabilitation to improve exercise tolerance is the practice of pranayama, or yoga breathing, which could be done independently at home. We also sought to determine whether yoga nonprofessionals could adequately teach pranayama to patients.

Design

Proof-of-concept, randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot trial.

Settings/location

Two academic pulmonary practices.

Subjects

Forty-three patients with symptomatic, moderate-to-severe COPD.

Interventions

Twelve weeks of pranayama plus education versus educat

SUBMITTER: Kaminsky DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5610410 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature