Respiratory rehabilitation: a physiotherapy approach to the control of asthma symptoms and anxiety

Authors

  • Renata André Laurino Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Medicine
  • Viviane Barnabé Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Medicine
  • Beatriz M. Saraiva-Romanholo Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Medicine
  • Rafael Stelmach Universidade de São Paulo; Hospital das Clínicas; Heart Institute (InCor); Pulmonary Division
  • Alberto Cukier Universidade de São Paulo; Hospital das Clínicas; Heart Institute (InCor); Pulmonary Division
  • Maria do Patrocínio T. Nunes Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2012(11)12

Keywords:

Asthma, Physiotherapy, Panic, Breathing Retraining, Anxiety

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to verify the degree of anxiety, respiratory distress, and health-related quality of life in a group of asthmatic patients who have experienced previous panic attacks. Additionally, we evaluated if a respiratory physiotherapy program (breathing retraining) improved both asthma and panic disorder symptoms, resulting in an improvement in the health-related quality of life of asthmatics. METHODS: Asthmatic individuals were assigned to a chest physiotherapy group that included a breathing retraining program held once a week for three months or a paired control group that included a Subtle Touch program. All patients were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, the Sheehan Anxiety Scale, the Quality of Life Questionnaire, and spirometry parameter measurements. RESULTS: Both groups had high marks for panic disorder and agoraphobia, which limited their quality of life. The Breathing Retraining Group program improved the clinical control of asthma, reduced panic symptoms and agoraphobia, decreased patient scores on the Sheehan Anxiety Scale, and improved their quality of life. Spirometry parameters were unchanged. CONCLUSION: Breathing retraining improves the clinical control of asthma and anxiety symptoms and the health-related quality of life in asthmatic patients.

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Published

2012-11-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Sciences

How to Cite

Laurino, R. A., Barnabé, V., Saraiva-Romanholo, B. M., Stelmach, R., Cukier, A., & Nunes, M. do P. T. (2012). Respiratory rehabilitation: a physiotherapy approach to the control of asthma symptoms and anxiety. Clinics, 67(11), 1291-1297. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2012(11)12