Positive Health Online

Abstract

RITZ, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Veteran's Administration, Palo Alto Health Care System, CA, USA, identified and reviewed (80 references) studies on relaxation training for the treatment/management of asthma in adults .

Background

Methodology

The author evaluated six controlled and three uncontrolled studies on relaxation training in adult asthma patients carried out between 1980 and 2000. Methods used in the studies included progressive relaxation, functional relaxation, autogenic training or yoga .

Results

Most studies included only small numbers of subjects and had one or more methodological short-comings: e.g. suboptimal data analysis, high drop-out rate, problems with measurement procedures, inadequate descriptions of methods and/or results. Few or no overall effects were found on lung function, symptoms, medication consumption and healthcare use . The author discusses problems with the rationale for using relaxation therapy in asthma from a psychophysiological perspective, and gives examples of possible beneficial and detrimental effects of these techniques on lung function when relaxation interventions target emotional processes, musculoskeletal function and/or breathing.

Conclusion

It has yet to be confirmed whether relaxation training can be of significant benefit to adult asthma patients.

References

Ritz T. Relaxation therapy in adult asthma. Is there new evidence for its effectiveness? Behavior Modification 25 (4): 640-66. Sep 2001.