The Effect of 20-Minute Mindful Breathing on the Rapid Reduction of Dyspnea at Rest in Patients With Lung Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Context

Dyspnea is a common and distressing symptom in respiratory diseases. Despite advances in the treatment of various lung diseases, the treatment modalities for dyspnea remain limited.

Objectives

This study aims to examine the effect of 20-minute mindful breathing on the rapid reduction of dyspnea at rest in patients with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma.

Methods

We conducted a parallel-group, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial of standard care plus 20-minute mindful breathing vs. standard care alone for patients with moderate to severe dyspnea due to lung disease, named previously, at the respiratory unit of University Malaya Medical Centre in Malaysia, from August 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018.

Results

Sixty-three participants were randomly assigned to standard care plus a 20-minute mindful breathing session (n = 32) or standard care alone (n = 31), with no difference in their demographic and clinical characteristics. There was statistically significant reduction in dyspnea in the mindful breathing group compared with the control group at minute 5 (U = 233.5, n₁ = 32, n₂ = 31, mean rank₁ = 23.28, mean rank₂ = 37.72, z = ?3.574, P < 0.001) and minute 20 (U = 232.0, n₁ = 32, n₂ = 31, mean rank₁ = 23.00, mean rank₂ = 36.77, z = ?3.285, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results provide evidence that a single session of 20-minute mindful breathing is effective in reducing dyspnea rapidly for patients with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma.