A new Cochrane review, published in the famous Cochrane Library, mentions that yoga has a positive effect on the symptoms and quality of life of asthma patients, but the effect on lung function and the use of drugs still remains uncertain.

Asthma is a common chronic disease that affects about 300 million people worldwide. Typical symptoms include cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, rales and wheezing.

Yoga has gained worldwide popularity as a form of exercise useful for the whole body, and in connection with this, several studies were conducted that examined the ability of yoga to alleviate asthmatic symptoms.

The new review summarized the results of randomized trials, which led to evidence that yoga exercises can improve the quality of life in asthma and alleviate its symptoms to a certain level. However, researchers also warn that in order to obtain solid, weighty evidence of the beneficial effects of yoga, it is necessary to conduct large-scale studies of high quality.

There were 15 randomized controlled trials involving 1,048 men and women. Most of the research was conducted in India, Europe and the USA.

Most participants had mild to moderate asthma for six months to 23 years. Six studies studied the effect of respiratory yoga exercises, while others evaluated the effect of breathing exercises, poses and meditation.

Most participants continued to take anti-asthmatic drugs during studies lasting from two weeks to four years.

Five studies found that yoga reduces the effect of asthma on the quality of life, however, the results on the effect of yoga on lung function have varied.

aspekty. net.