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NCT Number: NCT07529847

Comparative Effects of Alternative Nostril Breathing Versus Buteyko Breathing on Control Pause, Dyspnea and Pulmonary Function in Patients With Bronchial Asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflmmatory airway disease characterized by recurrent episodes of dyspnea, wheezing, and airflow limitation.

Dysfunctional breathing pattern and chronic hyperventilation

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Key information

Conditions

Asthma (Diagnosis) Asthma Bronchial Diseases Disease Dyspnea Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Immediate Immune System Diseases Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Respiration Disorders Respiratory Hypersensitivity Respiratory Tract Diseases Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease in which there are recurrent episodes shortness of breath, wheezing,and limitation in airflow.

Chronic hyperventilation and dysfunctional breathing pattern and commonly contribute to symptom severity and poor asthma control.This study aims to compare the effects of Alternate Nostril Breathing and Buteyko Breathing Technique on control pause, dyspnea, pulmonary function, and asthma control in patients with bronchial asthma.This study aims to compare the effects of Alternate Nostril Breathing and Buteyko Breathing Technique on control pause, dyspnea, pulmonary function, and asthma control in patients with bronchial asthma.This study aims to compare the effects of Alternate Nostril Breathing and Buteyko Breathing Technique on control pause, dyspnea, pulmonary function, and asthma control in patients with bronchial asthma.A total of 40 patients with mild to moderate persistent bronchial asthma will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will receive Alternate Nostril Breathing, while Group B will receive the Buteyko Breathing Technique, along with standard pharmacological management.

The intervention will be conducted over a period of four weeks, with two supervised sessions per week and additional home-based sessions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 18-45 years
  • Both genders (male and female)
  • Grade 1-3 on mMRC scale of dyspnea
  • Asthma severity classes- intermediate,mild persistent and moderate persistent asthma (acc. to NAEPP National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidlines 2020)

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients having acute exerbation of COPD/status asthmaticus
  • Patients diagnosed with acute infection
  • Patients unable to follow command and instructions
  • Asthma patients with >40sec control pause duration

Treatment and study plan

Alternative Nostril Breathing Technique along with standard pharmacological management

Other

Patients in this group will receive alternative nostril breathing technique along with standard pharmacological management.

A total 4 weeks protocol will be followed in which 2 seesions per week will be supervised by physiotherapist and 5 days at home.

Alternative nostril breathing will be performed in sitting position. The patient will be asked to place their right thumb to gently close their right nostril.

Inhale slowly for 4 sec deeply through left nostril and hold breath for 2-3 sec.

Release right nostril and use your right ring finger to close your left nostril.

Exhale slowly 6 sec and completely through right nostril.Inhale slowly 4 sec and deeply through right nostril.Then hold breath for 2-3 sec.

Patients will be asked to release the left nostril and use their right thumb to close their right nostril. Exhale slowly and completely through left nostril over 6 sec.Repeat the cycle.

Pharmacological management: Patient will receive medications as per prescribed by pulmonologist

Buteyko breathing along with pharmacological management

Other

Patient in this group will receive Buteyko breathing along with pharmacological management. A total 4 weeks protocol will be followed in which 2 sessions per week will be supervised by physiotherapist and 5 days will be done by patients at home.

The patient will sit comfortably in upright position. The patients will be give following instructions. Breathe normally for 2-3 minutes (nasal inhalation and nasal exhalation). After relax exhale, hold your breath, use index finger and thumb to plug nose. Retain your breath until you feel the urge to breathe (first sign of air hunger) then inhale. Breath normally for 10 sec. Repeat several times.

Pharmacological management: Patient will receive medications as prescribed by pulmonologist

Primary outcomes

  1. Control Pause

    Time frame: 04 weeks

    Evaluation will be performed using the Control Pause test, defined as the duration (in seconds) a participant can comfortably hold their breath after a normal exhalation. The measurement will be recorded using a stopwatch.

    Participants will be assessed in a seated position following normal tidal breathing, and breath-hold will be initiated after a normal exhalation without prior deep inspiration.

    The Control Pause duration ranges from 0 seconds to the maximum voluntary breath-hold time.

    Higher values indicate better breath control and improved respiratory function, whereas lower values indicate poorer respiratory status.

  2. Dyspnea

    Time frame: 04 weeks

    Evaluation will be performed using the Dyspnea-12 Questionnaire (D-12), a validated patient-reported outcome measure consisting of 12 items assessing both physical and affective components of breathlessness. The total score ranges from 0 to 36, with each item scored from 0 (none) to 3 (severe).

    Higher scores indicate greater severity of dyspnea and worse symptom burden.

  3. Pulmonary Function Test

    Time frame: 04 weeks

    Evaluation will be performed using spirometry, conducted according to standard guidelines. The primary parameters assessed will include Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and FEV₁/FVC ratio. Values will be recorded in liters (L) and as percentage of predicted values (%) based on age, sex, height, and ethnicity.

    Higher values of FEV₁ and FVC indicate better pulmonary function, while a higher FEV₁/FVC ratio indicates reduced airflow obstruction and improved respiratory status.

  4. Asthma Control

    Time frame: 04 weeks

    Evaluation will be performed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT), a validated patient-reported questionnaire consisting of 5 items assessing asthma symptoms and control over the past 4 weeks. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale (1-5), with a total score ranging from 5 to 25.

    Higher scores indicate better asthma control, while lower scores indicate poorer control. A score of ≥20 suggests well-controlled asthma, whereas scores <20 indicate partially controlled or poorly controlled asthma.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Maryam Arooj, MSPT-CPPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923428190176

Zara Khalid, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+92333-5415822

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Foundation University Islamabad

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 14, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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