Dear Editor

Thank you for a well-reasoned explanation on the effect of yoga on asthma.

The study quoted [1] which justifies the Buteyko technique was flawed by:
* unequal groups in that the Buteyko group initially required 1½ times the steroids of the control group
* the Buteyko group receiving seven times the follow-up phone calls as the control group, plus extra breathing classes.
Also, no significant difference was found in quality of life scores at the end of the trial.

However, there is anecdotal evidence of excellent results in some patients, representing the overlap of hyperventilation syndrome and asthma.[2] If patients with asthma are given the simple Nijmegen questionnaire [3] to identify coexisting hyperventilation syndrome, a chartered physiotherapist can usually treat them successfully.[4]

References

(1) Bowler SD, Green A, Mitchell CA (1998) Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a randomised controlled trial. Med.J.Aust, 169, 575-8.

(2) Demeter SL (1986) Hyperventilation syndrome and asthma. Am J Med 1986;81:989-94.

(3) Hough A. Physiotherapy in Respiratory Care, 3rd edition. (www.nelsonthornes.com), 2001.

(4) http://www.physiohypervent.org