Effects of an Online Yoga Program on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Bronchiectasis Patients

Bronchiectasis is a chronic and progressive respiratory disorder characterized by irreversible bronchial dilatation, chronic airway inflammation, and recurrent infections. Patients commonly experience dyspnea, reduced exercise tolerance, fatigue, and impaired quality of life. In addition to pharmacological treatments, pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise-based interventions play an important role in symptom management and functional improvement.

Yoga is a mind-body intervention that integrates breathing exercises (pranayama), physical postures (asanas), and relaxation techniques. Previous studies in chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have demonstrated that yoga can improve respiratory muscle function, ventilatory efficiency, and overall well-being. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in bronchiectasis remains limited.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of an eight-week online yoga program on pulmonary function, functional exercise capacity, dyspnea perception, and disease-specific quality of life in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Participants were recruited from the Department of Chest Diseases at Istanbul Medipol University between January 2025 and October 2025. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group or a control group using a computer-generated randomization method.

The intervention consisted of 24 supervised online yoga sessions delivered over eight weeks (three sessions per week). Each session included structured breathing exercises, postural practices, and relaxation techniques designed to improve respiratory control, chest expansion, and physical awareness. The control group received standard care without additional intervention during the study period.

Outcome measures included spirometric parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75), functional exercise capacity assessed by the six-minute walk test (6MWT), dyspnea severity measured by the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, and health-related quality of life evaluated using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Assessments were performed at baseline and after the eight-week intervention period.

The study aimed to determine whether yoga could serve as a safe, feasible, and effective complementary intervention to improve functional outcomes and symptom burden in individuals with bronchiectasis, particularly in the context of accessible and remote rehabilitation models.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 30-55 years
• Diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis based on clinical and radiological findings
• Clinically stable condition
• No participation in a structured exercise program within the previous 3 months
• Voluntary agreement to participate

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of additional respiratory diseases
• Acute exacerbation or antibiotic use within the previous 4 weeks
• Physical or cognitive impairments limiting participation
• Age above 55 years