A woman sitting cross-legged on a rock with a view of the valley.

Study on the effect of yoga in the treatment of asthma

Holger Cramer et al.

April 2014

Respiratory system / Asthma

Yoga (individual)

The University of Duisburg-Essen and Liverpool John Moores University investigated whether yoga exercises have a positive effect on asthma. Data from fourteen randomized, controlled studies with 824 patients were included in the analysis. Comparative results were found between yoga and conventional asthma treatment methods in terms of asthma control, symptoms, peak flow rate, quality of life and lung function.

However, no significant difference was found between the values of yoga, sham yoga and breathing exercises. Although yoga is treated by patients with asthma to relieve their symptoms, the present comparative analysis could not prove a visible positive effect. Yoga can only be considered as a supportive measure or as an alternative to breathing exercises for asthma sufferers.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Asthma
Institution: Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Title: Study on the effect of yoga in the treatment of asthma
Brief description: Study shows that yoga can be helpful as a supportive measure for asthma.
Original title: Yoga for asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24726198/