Asthma (Diagnosis)NCT07140458
Comparative Effect of Box Breathing And Buteyko Breathing on Pulmonary Functions in Asthma
A study testing Buteyko Breathing and Box breathing in people with Asthma (Diagnosis) and Breathing Exercises, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The aim of this study was to evaluate the Effectiveness of Box Breathing Technique and Buteyko breathing techniques in patients with Asthma, using both Clinical Pulmonary tests as well as Patient reported outcomes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Asthma (Diagnosis), Breathing Exercises
- What is being tested?
- Buteyko Breathing and Box breathing
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 17 Dec 2024to 2 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 25 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Subjects with bronchial asthma for more than one year
- Subjects who are on regular treatment (both inhalers and medication).
- Subjects who are conscious and cooperative.
Who cannot join
- Subject with recent abdominal, thoracic surgery.
- Subject with any Disability; Physical or Mental.
- Subjects who have other chronic respiratory diseases, new or current smoker, and had respiratory tract infection.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Islam center and Teaching Hospital
Sialkot, Punjab Province, 51310
About this study
The aim of this study was to evaluate the Effectiveness of Box Breathing Technique and Buteyko breathing techniques in patients with Asthma, using both Clinical Pulmonary tests as well as Patient reported outcomes.
- Conditions
- Asthma (Diagnosis), Breathing Exercises
- Being tested
- Buteyko Breathing, Box breathing
- Keywords
- Asthma, Breathing Exercise, Buteyko Breathing, Box Breathing, Pulmonary Function tests
- Medical subject headings
- Asthma, Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Buteyko BreathingOther
Buteyko Breathing is a technique focusing on controlled, reduced breathing to improve oxygen uptake and reduce hyperventilation-related symptoms using Air hunger.
Procedure:-
After gaining proper relaxation:
- Exhale slowly, and then hold that breath.
- Use the index finger and thumb to plug the nose.
- Hold that breath until there is an urge to breathe, and then inhale.
- Breathe normally for at least 10 seconds.
- Repeat several times.
Box breathingOther
Box Breathing (4-4-4-4 Technique) - Box Breathing exercises boosts lung function by optimizing oxygen flow and activating relaxation responses.Each exercise Sessions included 20 cycles of Box Breathing.
The procedure of the box breathing cycle includes:
- inhale for 4 seconds
- Hold the breath for 4 seconds
- Exhale for 4 seconds
- Hold the breath for 4 seconds, and repeat.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Buteyko Breathing | Experimental | Using Buteyko Breathing as primary intervention in addition to standard Asthma therapy. Receives: Other: Buteyko Breathing |
| Box Breathing Technique | Experimental | Using Buteyko Breathing as primary intervention in addition to standard Asthma therapy. Receives: Other: Box breathing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Lung Function tests (FVC)
Changes from Baseline, Lung function tests measure how well the lungs take in, hold, and move air, as well as how efficiently they transfer oxygen into the blood. These tests help diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and restrictive lung diseases. Tets measures are compared against Normal value i.e: FVC ≥80%.
Measured: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Lung Function Test (FEV¹)
Changes from Baseline, Lung function tests measure how well the lungs take in, hold, and move air, as well as how efficiently they transfer oxygen into the blood. These tests help diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and restrictive lung diseases. Test measures are compared against Normal value i.e: FEV¹ ≥80%.
Measured: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Lung Function test (FEV₁/FVC ratio)
Changes from Baseline, Lung function tests measure how well the lungs take in, hold, and move air, as well as how efficiently they transfer oxygen into the blood. These tests help diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and restrictive lung diseases. Test measures are compared against Normal value i.e: FEV₁/FVC ≥0.7.
Measured: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale
The Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale (MBS) is a subjective tool used to measure a patient's perceived breathlessness (dyspnea) during physical activity or at rest.
Scoring System:
-Scale Range: 0 to 10(with verbal descriptors for each level). Higher values signify worse condition (Maximal effort).
Measured: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Mcgill quality of life questionnaire
The MQOL is a validated tool designed to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients with life-threatening or chronic illnesses. It focuses on *physical, psychological, existential, and social well-being*.
Response Scale: Most items use a 0-10 numerical rating scale (higher = better QoL).
- 0 = Worst possible experience
- 10= Best possible experience Overall Higher scores indicate better quality of life. Whereas Lower scores suggest significant distress in a domain (e.g., pain, existential crisis).
Measured: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Aug 2025
- Study start17 Dec 2024
- Primary completion14 Feb 2025
- Study completion2 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (41)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Asthma (Diagnosis)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Qurat ul Ain, Masters, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07140458
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/24/0325 Ezaz
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 14 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Satria O, Apriani F, Damayanti S, Muharamah D. Pengaruh Teknik Pernapasan Buteyko Terhadap Penurunan Kekambuhan Asma Pada Pasien Asma Bronkhial. Journal Of Health And Physical. 2025;1(1):1-7.
Abd Allah Abd El Hafeez N, Khalil Hafez M, Mohamed ahmed Z, Metwally El-Sayed M, Abdelwahab Khedr M, Fathy ahmed dawood R. Evaluating the Effect of Buteyko Breathing Technique in Enhancing Asthma Control and Life Quality Among Asthma Patients: A Nursing-Led QuasiExperimental Study. Egyptian Journal of Health Care. 2025;16(1):831-52.
Celik H, Yuruk E. The effect of the Buteyko breathing technique on asthma control and quality of life in children with asthma aged 7-12 years: a randomized controlled study. PeerJ. 2025 Jun 3;13:e19467. doi: 10.7717/peerj.19467. eCollection 2025.
PubMed 40487067Mahmoud Abo El-Fadl N, Mohammed Mahmoud D. Buteyko Breathing Technique versus Pranayama Technique on Asthma Control among Asthmatic Patients. Journal of Nursing Science Benha University. 2024;5(2):728-54
Mokkink L, Prinsen C, Patrick D, Alonso J, Bouter L, De Vet H, et al. COSMIN methodology for systematic reviews of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)-User manual (version 1.0). Retrieved from. 2018
Crisafulli E, Clini EM. Measures of dyspnea in pulmonary rehabilitation. Multidiscip Respir Med. 2010 Jun 30;5(3):202-10. doi: 10.1186/2049-6958-5-3-202.
PubMed 22958431Santoso FM, Harmayetty H, Bakar A, editors. PERBANDINGAN LATIHAN NAPAS BUTEYKO DAN UPPER BODY EXERCISE TERHADAP ARUS PUNCAK EKSPIRASI PADA PASIEN DENGAN ASMA BRONKIAL2014.
Udayani W, Amin MF, Makhfudli M. The Effect of Combination of Buteyko Breathing Technique and Walking Exercise on Forced Peak Expiratory Flow In Adult Asthmatic Patients. Jurnal Keperawatan Padjadjaran. 2019
Vagedes J, Helmert E, Kuderer S, Vagedes K, Wildhaber J, Andrasik F. The Buteyko breathing technique in children with asthma: a randomized controlled pilot study. Complement Ther Med. 2021 Jan;56:102582. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102582. Epub 2020 Oct 23.
PubMed 33197659Ahmed A, Gayatri Devi R, Jothi Priya A. Effect of Box Breathing Technique on Lung Function Test. 2021.
Mohamed NK, Sayed EH, Abd-Elhamed AG. Comparison between The Effect of Buteyko and Pranayama Breathing Techniques on Children with Asthma. Assiut Scientific Nursing Journal. 2022;10(29):139-51.
Yosifine Y, Margaretha M, Fatik R, Saputra R, Naning D, Meiliana R, et al. Intervensi teknik pernafasan Buteyko terhadap penurunan respirasi rate dan saturasi oksigen pada pasien asma bronchial: Intervention of Buteyko breathing technique on reduction of respiratory rate and oxygen saturation in bronchial asthma patients. Open Access Jakarta Journal of Health Sciences. 2022;1(9):318-22
Azab A, Moawd S, AbdulRahman R. Effect of buteyko breathing exercises versus yoga training on pulmonary functions and functional capacity in children with bronchial asthma: a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Therapies and Rehabilitation Research. 2017;6(1):148.
David J, Patil H. Immediate effect of Buteyko breathing technique versus stacked breathing technique in asthma patients. International journal of health science and research. 2022;12(6):158
Sankar J, Das RR. Asthma - A Disease of How We Breathe: Role of Breathing Exercises and Pranayam. Indian J Pediatr. 2018 Oct;85(10):905-910. doi: 10.1007/s12098-017-2519-6. Epub 2017 Dec 16.
PubMed 29247426
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effect of Box Breathing And Buteyko Breathing on Pulmonary Functions in Asthma
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07140458
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/24/0325 Ezaz
- Conditions
- Asthma (Diagnosis), Breathing Exercises
- Keywords
- Asthma, Breathing Exercise, Buteyko Breathing, Box Breathing, Pulmonary Function tests
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 14 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the Effectiveness of Box Breathing Technique and Buteyko breathing techniques in patients with Asthma, using both Clinical Pulmonary tests as well as Patient reported outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Buteyko Breathing | Experimental | Other: Buteyko BreathingUsing Buteyko Breathing as primary intervention in addition to standard Asthma therapy. |
| Box Breathing Technique | Experimental | Other: Box breathingUsing Buteyko Breathing as primary intervention in addition to standard Asthma therapy. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Subjects with bronchial asthma for more than one year
- Subjects who are on regular treatment (both inhalers and medication).
- Subjects who are conscious and cooperative.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Subject with recent abdominal, thoracic surgery.
- Subject with any Disability; Physical or Mental.
- Subjects who have other chronic respiratory diseases, new or current smoker, and had respiratory tract infection.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Buteyko BreathingButeyko Breathing is a technique focusing on controlled, reduced breathing to improve oxygen uptake and reduce hyperventilation-related symptoms using Air hunger. Procedure:- After gaining proper relaxation: 1. Exhale slowly, and then hold that breath. 2. Use the index finger and thumb to plug the nose. 3. Hold that breath until there is an urge to breathe, and then inhale. 4. Breathe normally for at least 10 seconds. 5. Repeat several times. | Other | Buteyko Breathing |
| Box breathingBox Breathing (4-4-4-4 Technique) - Box Breathing exercises boosts lung function by optimizing oxygen flow and activating relaxation responses.Each exercise Sessions included 20 cycles of Box Breathing. The procedure of the box breathing cycle includes: 1. inhale for 4 seconds 2. Hold the breath for 4 seconds 3. Exhale for 4 seconds 4. Hold the breath for 4 seconds, and repeat. | Other | Box Breathing Technique |
Primary outcome
Lung Function tests (FVC)
Time frame: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Changes from Baseline, Lung function tests measure how well the lungs take in, hold, and move air, as well as how efficiently they transfer oxygen into the blood. These tests help diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and restrictive lung diseases. Tets measures are compared against Normal value i.e: FVC ≥80%.
Lung Function Test (FEV¹)
Time frame: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Changes from Baseline, Lung function tests measure how well the lungs take in, hold, and move air, as well as how efficiently they transfer oxygen into the blood. These tests help diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and restrictive lung diseases. Test measures are compared against Normal value i.e: FEV¹ ≥80%.
Lung Function test (FEV₁/FVC ratio)
Time frame: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Changes from Baseline, Lung function tests measure how well the lungs take in, hold, and move air, as well as how efficiently they transfer oxygen into the blood. These tests help diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and restrictive lung diseases. Test measures are compared against Normal value i.e: FEV₁/FVC ≥0.7.
2 secondary outcomes
Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale
Time frame: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Mcgill quality of life questionnaire
Time frame: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Aug 2025.
- BackgroundSatria O, Apriani F, Damayanti S, Muharamah D. Pengaruh Teknik Pernapasan Buteyko Terhadap Penurunan Kekambuhan Asma Pada Pasien Asma Bronkhial. Journal Of Health And Physical. 2025;1(1):1-7.
- BackgroundAbd Allah Abd El Hafeez N, Khalil Hafez M, Mohamed ahmed Z, Metwally El-Sayed M, Abdelwahab Khedr M, Fathy ahmed dawood R. Evaluating the Effect of Buteyko Breathing Technique in Enhancing Asthma Control and Life Quality Among Asthma Patients: A Nursing-Led QuasiExperimental Study. Egyptian Journal of Health Care. 2025;16(1):831-52.
- Background: PubMed 40487067Celik H, Yuruk E. The effect of the Buteyko breathing technique on asthma control and quality of life in children with asthma aged 7-12 years: a randomized controlled study. PeerJ. 2025 Jun 3;13:e19467. doi: 10.7717/peerj.19467. eCollection 2025.
- BackgroundMahmoud Abo El-Fadl N, Mohammed Mahmoud D. Buteyko Breathing Technique versus Pranayama Technique on Asthma Control among Asthmatic Patients. Journal of Nursing Science Benha University. 2024;5(2):728-54
- BackgroundMokkink L, Prinsen C, Patrick D, Alonso J, Bouter L, De Vet H, et al. COSMIN methodology for systematic reviews of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)-User manual (version 1.0). Retrieved from. 2018
- Background: PubMed 22958431Crisafulli E, Clini EM. Measures of dyspnea in pulmonary rehabilitation. Multidiscip Respir Med. 2010 Jun 30;5(3):202-10. doi: 10.1186/2049-6958-5-3-202.
- BackgroundSantoso FM, Harmayetty H, Bakar A, editors. PERBANDINGAN LATIHAN NAPAS BUTEYKO DAN UPPER BODY EXERCISE TERHADAP ARUS PUNCAK EKSPIRASI PADA PASIEN DENGAN ASMA BRONKIAL2014.
- BackgroundUdayani W, Amin MF, Makhfudli M. The Effect of Combination of Buteyko Breathing Technique and Walking Exercise on Forced Peak Expiratory Flow In Adult Asthmatic Patients. Jurnal Keperawatan Padjadjaran. 2019
- Background: PubMed 33197659Vagedes J, Helmert E, Kuderer S, Vagedes K, Wildhaber J, Andrasik F. The Buteyko breathing technique in children with asthma: a randomized controlled pilot study. Complement Ther Med. 2021 Jan;56:102582. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102582. Epub 2020 Oct 23.
- BackgroundAhmed A, Gayatri Devi R, Jothi Priya A. Effect of Box Breathing Technique on Lung Function Test. 2021.
- BackgroundMohamed NK, Sayed EH, Abd-Elhamed AG. Comparison between The Effect of Buteyko and Pranayama Breathing Techniques on Children with Asthma. Assiut Scientific Nursing Journal. 2022;10(29):139-51.
- BackgroundYosifine Y, Margaretha M, Fatik R, Saputra R, Naning D, Meiliana R, et al. Intervensi teknik pernafasan Buteyko terhadap penurunan respirasi rate dan saturasi oksigen pada pasien asma bronchial: Intervention of Buteyko breathing technique on reduction of respiratory rate and oxygen saturation in bronchial asthma patients. Open Access Jakarta Journal of Health Sciences. 2022;1(9):318-22
- Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention. \[Online Web Data\]. 2023Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Qurat ul Ain, Masters principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Buteyko Breathing and Box breathing in people with Asthma (Diagnosis) and Breathing Exercises, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Lung Function tests (FVC) (time frame: through study completion, approximately 8 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07140458, which also lists 41 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Aug 2025.