Effect of buteyko breathing technique on patients with bronchial asthma

A new dawn is emerging by recognizing that correct breathing volume is fundamental to maintaining good health, the new beginning is based on the life's work of Russian scientist professor Konstantin Buteyko. The Buteyko breathing technique method as suggested by Professor Buteyko helps to decrease the number and severity of attacks as well as the dosage of medication. As a result of this therapy, the indicators of acid-alkali balance and lung ventilation improved. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Buteyko breathing technique on patients with bronchial asthma. Forty patients with bronchial asthma participated in this study, their age ranged between 30 and 50 years. They were divided into two equal groups, group [A] received Buteyko breathing technique [BBT], and the medications prescribed by the physician, while group, [B] did not perform any physical therapy program just their medications prescribed by the physician. The program continued for 6 weeks [2 sessions per week except the 1st week was 4 sessions per week]. Peak expiratory flow rates [PEFR], Control pause test and asthma daily symptoms [asthma control questionnaire] were measured at the beginning and after the treatment program for both groups. Revealed a significant decrease in asthma daily symptoms, a significant improvement in PEFR, and Control pause test in group [A], while there was insignificant change in group [B]. It can be concluded that BBT produce a significant improvement for patients with bronchial asthma as regard daily symptoms, PEFR and Control pause test

role of impulse oscillometry in assessment of airway obstruction in smokers and ex-smokers

Impulse oscillometry provides useful clinical information that prominently includes functional assessment of small, peripheral airway behavior beyond that available from commonly used pulmonary function tests [PFT]. The aim of this study was to assess the role of impulse oscillometry in assessment of airway obstruction in smokers and ex-smokers. Sixty subjects divided into three groups [asymptomatic smokers, ex-smokers and non smoker healthy subjects as a controls] all were assessed by spirometry and IOS. Based on the IOS results in smokers, there was 17 negative cases and only 3 diseased cases, the calculated Specificity of spirometry [ability to detect negative cases as negative] 100%, while its sensitivity [ability to detect diseased cases as diseased] was only 33% as it was able to detect one diseased case from a total of three cases .In ex-smokers, there was 13 negative cases and only 7 diseased cases, the calculated Specificity of spirometry [ability to detect negative cases as negative] 100%, while its sensitivity [ability to detect diseased cases as diseased] was only 42.8% as it was able to detect 3 diseased case from a total of 7 cases. In controls, there was 18 negative cases and two diseased cases, the calculated Specificity of spirometry [ability to detect negative cases as negative] 100%, while its sensitivity [ability to detect diseased cases as diseased] was 50% as it was able to detect 1 diseased case from a total of 2 cases. IOS is an effective, easy to perform, and a non invasive method for the assessment of airway obstruction in obstructive pulmonary disorders. Although, there is no significant difference between impulse oscillometry and spirometry parameters in early detection of airway obstruction in smokers and ex-smokers groups