Some of our Research
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NZMJ May 19 2006 BBT in children  Vol 119 No 1234 ISSN 1175 8716 Buteyko breathing technique and asthma in children: a case series. Patrick McHugh, Bruce Duncan, Frank Houghton. Twenty-six children were identified of whom 8 (aged 7–16 years) were eligible for inclusion; being previously diagnosed with asthma by their GP and using medication for asthma for at least 6 months with significant use of medication for asthma in the 2 weeks prior; no prior instruction in BBT; and no significant unstable medical condition. Participants underwent training in BBT (by a representative of the Buteyko Institute of Breathing and Health) over five sessions of 60–90 minutes held over 5 consecutive days. BBT consists of a series of exercises promoting nasal breathing and periods of hypoventilation. Average ß -agonist use reduced from 743 mEq of salbutamol per day to 254 mEq/day, a drop of 66%. Inhaled steroid use reduced from 138 mEq of fluticasone per day to 81 mEq/day, a drop of 41%. Given the association between BBT and medication reduction in this group of children, and the similarity with adults, we suggest that BBT would merit exploration by a randomised controlled trial in children. In addition, we agree with a recent review of BBT which states that further research is necessary to establish whether BBT is effective, and if so, how it may work.
NZMJ December 2003 Vol 116 No 1187 ISSN 1175 8716 Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention. Patrick McHugh, Fergus Aitcheson, Bruce Duncan and Frank Houghton To assess the impact of the Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) on medication use in asthma, a blinded randomised controlled trial comparing BBT with control was conducted in 38 people with asthma aged between 18 and 70. Participants were followed for six months following the intervention. Medication use and indices of ventilatory function were recorded.
No significant change in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) was recorded in either group. The BBT group exhibited a reduction in inhaled steroid use of 50% and ß2-agonist use of 85% at six months from baseline. In the control group inhaled steroid use was unchanged and ß2-agonist use was reduced by 37% from baseline. Investigator contact between the two groups was equal. There were no adverse events recorded in either group. BBT is a safe and efficacious asthma management technique. BBT has clinical and potential pharmaco-economic benefits that merit further study.
The use, understanding, and attitudes towards
traditional, complementary and alternative therapies in a sample of in-patients
of a provincial hospital. Amanda Evans, Bruce Duncan,
Patrick McHugh, John Shaw and Craig Wilson. In Press
This study of in-patients interviewed at Gisborne Hospital had the highest rate of TCAM
use published to date. Most of these
patients intend to continue using TCAM (86%), seek pluralistic care for their
maladies and select from a broad array of modalities rooted in the
community. Patients are not telling
their doctors about this use, not because patients fear disapproval, but they
are simply not being asked. Patients do
not volunteer this information because they believe that TCAM use is safe and
are unaware of its potential risks.
There are ethnic trends in the selection of TCAM modalities and
potential exists to reach some hard to reach populations through integrated care. The high prevalence of TCAM use in an
in-patient population and patients' naivety regarding risks and interactions
underscores the need for greater cooperation between orthodox and complementary
practitioners, effective regulation with emphasis given to public safety, the
need for new funding for TCAM research, increased undergraduate and
postgraduate medical TCAM education and better information made available to
the public.
Effects of a behavioural
intervention on health functioning and quality of life in community dwelling
adults with a chronic condition - a randomized, wait-list controlled clinical
trial - The SKY Breathing Study
To test
the hypothesis that a behavioral intervention, Sudarshana Kriya Yoga (SKY),
affects healthy functioning and quality of life measured by standard
instruments, in community living adults with high-risk/priority chronic
conditions.
1. To assess SKY as a method of
treatment in terms of reduction in symptoms of stress as measured by
2. To assess SKY as a method of
treatment in terms of reduction in features of mild to moderate depression as
measured by
3. To assess SKY as a method of
treatment in terms of improvement in general will-being as measured by
4. To describe the socio-demographic
differences that exist between the experimental group and non-experimental
group
5. Exploratory data analysis through
Principal Components Analysis (PCA), a technique used to reduce
multidimensional data sets to lower dimensions for analysis.
Persons
with a chronic condition, following recruitment from local GP s as well as
health and social groups, and completion of a schedule of conditions, will have
the opportunity to complete a 26 hour SKY training commencing either
immediately after recruitment or after three months wait. Subjects will be surveyed after three months
and the wait-list control compared with the trained group.
This
study addresses the community health issue of improving quality of life in
persons with a chronic illness and would contribute to our understanding of
treating people with chronic conditions as well as the safety and efficacy of a
popular TCAM
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