C25-17 Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing as a Supplement to Asthma Pharmacotherapy in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Asthma: A Randomized Trial

Introduction There is an increasing interest in using non-pharmacological approaches in patients with asthma. This trial aimed to assess the effects of diaphragmatic breathing (DB) as a supplement to asthma pharmacotherapy in children and adolescents (7-18 yr) with chronic asthma. Our hypothesis was that practicing DB can reduce asthma symptoms and patient´s anxiety. Methods We conducted a 8-week randomized controlled trial at the Pediatric Pulmonology Clinic of a teaching hospital in southern Brazil. Children in the intervention group practiced a daily 10-minute DB at home while those in the control group performed a 30-second “sham” breathing exercise. Asthma control test (ACT), peak expiratory flow (PEF), salivary cortisol levels, child-reported anxiety scores (SCAS-C), parent-reported anxiety scores (SCAS-P), and self-reported anxiety level were measured at baseline (T1), 4 weeks (T2) and 8 weeks (T3) after enrollment. Results Fifty patients were included, of whom 25 were randomized to the intervention group and 25 to the control group. Compared to the control group, the intervention group had better asthma control (mean ± SD ACT at T3: 23.06 ± 1.62 vs. 20.37 ± 4.31, p = 0.03), lower mean SCAS-P scores at T2 (54.46 ± 7.62 vs. 62.0 ± 7.22, p = 0.01) and T3 (51.13 ± 8.53 vs. 61.25 ± 6.57, p = 0.04), and lower level of self-reported anxiety at T2 (1 (1 - 2) vs 3 (3 - 4), p = 0.01) and T3 (1 (0 - 1) vs. 2 (1 - 3), p = 0.03). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding SCAS-C and PEF at T2 and T3. Conclusions As a supplement to asthma pharmacotherapy, diaphragmatic breathing may improve asthma symptom controle and reduce anxiety in children and adolescents with asthma. (Brazilian Trial register RBR-3x8py3n)