
Contrary to popular belief, respiratory function and exercise capacity can be effectively improved and enhanced in asthma patients, according to a new meta-analysis conducted by Chinese researchers. The study underscored the importance of using yoga as a complement to asthma treatment and other forms of exercise.
This study, led by Henan Normal University in Xinxiang, China, was designed to compare the effects of different types of exercise on pulmonary function in adult patients with asthma using network meta-analysis. The study’s lead author is the university’s associate professor at the school of physical education, Shuangtao Xing.
Researchers combined data from electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of breathing, aerobic and relaxation training as well as yoga on lung function in adult patients with asthma from inception to February 2023. It included 28 randomized controlled trials with 2,155 patients with asthma.
Specifically, the study found improvements in levels of FEV1, the forced expiratory volume a person can exhale during a forced breath in one second. Additionally, there were improvements in levels of peak expiratory flow (PEF), a key measure of how well the lungs are functioning. Yoga training had the most significant effect on improving PEF levels.
The study concluded that this serves as a valuable reference for exercise prescription in this population. Yet, it is important to consider individual factors, including patient characteristics, family history, environmental influences and disease duration when designing exercise programs. Exercise should be tailored to individual physical and mental health conditions when deciding intensity, frequency and duration. Researchers also believe future research should target objective, standardized and well-designed experimental studies focusing on various aspects, including exercise mode, intensity, frequency, age and gender.