Masdrakis VG, Markianos M, Vaidakis N, Papakostas YG, Oulis P. Caffeine challenge and breath-holding duration in patients with panic disorder. Prog in Neuro-Psychopharm & Bio Psychiatr. 2009 Oct;33:41-44
Effect of Breathwork on Stress and Mental Health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials
Fincham GW, Strauss C, Montero-Marin J, Cavanagh K. Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):432. Published 2023 Jan 9. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-27247-y
Breathwork Interventions for Adults with Clinically Diagnosed Anxiety Disorders: A scoping review
Banushi B, Brendle M, Ragnhildstveit A, et al. Breathwork interventions for adults with clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders: A scoping review. Brain Sci. 2023;13(2):256. Published 2023 Feb 2. doi:10.3390/brainsci13020256
Yoga Breathing, Meditation, and Longevity
Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Yoga breathing, meditation, and longevity. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 Aug;1172:54-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04394.x. PMID: 19735239.
Understanding Dyspnea as a Complex Individual Experience
Hayen A, Herigstad M, Pattinson KT. Understanding dyspnea as a complex individual experience. Maturitas. 2013 Sep;76(1):45-50. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.06.005. Epub 2013 Jul 10. PMID: 23849705.
The Deep and Slow Breathing Characterizing Rest Favors Brain Respiratory-Drive
Girin B, Juventin M, Garcia S, et al. The deep and slow breathing characterizing rest favors brain respiratory-drive. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):7044. Published 2021 Mar 29. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-86525-3
Self-Regulation of Breathing as an Adjunctive Treatment of Insomnia
Jerath R, Beveridge C, Barnes VA. Self-regulation of breathing as an adjunctive treatment of insomnia. Front Psychiatry. 2019;9:780. Published 2019 Jan 29. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00780
Acute Fall and Long‐Term Rise in Oxygen Saturation in Response to Meditation
Bernardi, F, Bordino, M, Bianchi, L, Bernardi, L. Acute fall and long‐term rise in oxygen saturation in response to meditation. Psychophysiology. 2017; 54: 1951– 1966. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.12972
Breathing Exercises for Asthma: A randomised controlled trial
Thomas M, McKinley RK, Mellor S, et al. Breathing exercises for asthma: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax. 2009;64(1):55-61. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.100867
Are There Neurophenotypes for Asthma? Functional Brain Imaging of the Interaction between Emotion and Inflammation in Asthma
Rosenkranz MA, Busse WW, Sheridan JF, Crisafi GM, Davidson RJ. Are there neurophenotypes for asthma? Functional brain imaging of the interaction between emotion and inflammation in asthma. PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e40921. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040921
Hypocapnia Correction as a Working Mechanism for Breathing Retraining in Asthma - Authors' reply
Thomas M, Ainsworth B, Bruton A. Hypocapnia correction as a working mechanism for breathing retraining in asthma - Authors' reply. Lancet Respir Med. 2018;6(4):e15. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(18)30068-7
Yoga Breathing for Cancer Chemotherapy–Associated Symptoms and Quality of Life: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Dhruva A, Miaskowski C, Abrams D, et al. Yoga breathing for cancer chemotherapy-associated symptoms and quality of life: Results of a pilot randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2012;18(5):473-479. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0555
This pilot RCT found that a pranayama intervention of 4 breathing techniques received by patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy improved sleep disturbance, anxiety, and mental quality of life.
The Effects of Deep Breathing on 'Tension-Anxiety' and Fatigue in Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Chemotherapy
Hayama Y, Inoue T. The effects of deep breathing on 'tension-anxiety' and fatigue in cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2012;18(2):94-98. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2011.10.001
This RCT found that a 4-step deep breathing practice relieved 'tension-anxiety' and fatigue among Japanese women with gynecological cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.
How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A systematic review on psycho physiological correlates of slow breathing
Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al. How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. Published 2018 Sep 7. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353
One-Sentence Summary:
Slow breathing positively influences autonomic function, heart rate variability, and brain wave activity in ways consistent with psychological well-being.
Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—clinical applications and guidelines
Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Sudarshan Kriya Yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression. Part II--clinical applications and guidelines. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(4):711-717. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.711
One-Sentence Summary:
Yogic breathing is a beneficial, nonpharmacological treatment for stress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
Self-Regulation of Breathing as a Primary Treatment for Anxiety
Jerath R, Crawford MW, Barnes VA, Harden K. Self-regulation of breathing as a primary treatment for anxiety. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2015;40(2):107-115. doi:10.1007/s10484-015-9279-8
One-Sentence Summary:
Slow, deep breathing reduces the excitability of cells in the heart and brain, explaining physiologically how it reduces stress and anxiety.
Feedback of End-Tidal pCO2 as a Therapeutic Approach for Panic Disorder
Meuret AE, Wilhelm FH, Ritz T, Roth WT. Feedback of end-tidal pCO2 as a therapeutic approach for panic disorder. J Psychiatr Res. 2008;42(7):560-568. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2007.06.005
One-Sentence Summary:
Breathing biofeedback increases end-tidal CO2 and significantly reduces panic attacks in patients with panic disorder.
Respiratory Control in the Treatment of Panic Attacks: Replication and extension with concurrent measurement of behavior and pCO2
Salkovskis PM, Jones DR, Clark DM. Respiratory control in the treatment of panic attacks: Replication and extension with concurrent measurement of behaviour and pCO2. Br J Psychiatry. 1986;148:526-532. doi:10.1192/bjp.148.5.526
One-Sentence Summary:
Controlled breathing increases CO2 and reduces the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
Inhalation/Exhalation Ratio Modulates the Effect of Slow Breathing on Heart Rate Variability and Relaxation
Van Diest I, Verstappen K, Aubert AE, Widjaja D, Vansteenwegen D, Vlemincx E. Inhalation/Exhalation ratio modulates the effect of slow breathing on heart rate variability and relaxation. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2014;39(3-4):171-180. doi:10.1007/s10484-014-9253-x
One-Sentence Summary:
Controlled breathing at 6 breaths/min with an extended exhale improves subjective ratings of relaxation, mindfulness, and positive energy.
Nasal Respiration Entrains Human Limbic Oscillations and Modulates Cognitive Function
Zelano C, Jiang H, Zhou G, Arora N, Schuele S, Rosenow J, Gottfried JA. Nasal respiration entrains human limbic oscillations and modulates cognitive function. J Neurosci. 2016 Dec 7;36(49):12448-12467.
One-Sentence Summary:
Nasal breathing synchronizes brainwave oscillations in the piriform cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, which improves cognitive function when compared to mouth breathing.