The Papworth method is a highly specialized breathing and relaxation technique developed in the 1960s for asthma patients. Named after the hospital in Cambridgeshire, England, where it was developed by physical therapists, this method fell out of favor with the development of a variety of asthma medications, but made medical headlines in 2007 with the publication of a randomized controlled trial showing its clinical effectiveness. The exact technique is taught by trained therapists and is accompanied by training and education in order to integrate the method into daily life.
Details of the Method
The Papworth method involves learning how to breath in a relaxed, controlled manner, appropriate to the situation. Similar to breathing techniques used by professional singers and actors, the Papworth method teaches deep belly or diaphragmatic breathing and nose breathing as opposed to breathing from the chest or mouth. Patients are encouraged to take deep, gentle breaths. They learn to drop their shoulders, relax their stomachs and breathe calmly. By doing this, they gain greater control and confidence.
The patient is taught to match their breathing to their activity, making sure their breathing rate is appropriate to the situation. They are educated to increase their breathing rate during exercise and decrease it during rest, and are further educated on how to recognize the first signs of stress and then to relax.
The goal is to integrate the Papworth method into their everyday lives. It is both a psychological as well as a physical technique.
These exercises can be integrated into other asthma treatment programs.
Randomized Controlled Trial
In 2007, a randomized controlled trial of 85 adults with asthma in primary care was conducted. It was the first randomized controlled trial done to specifically to study the effectiveness of this method. The control group of 46 patients received no intervention beyond the usual medical care, while the treatment group received five sessions of the Papworth method. Evaluations were done at the start of the trial, 6 months later, and again 12 months later.
At the evaluation points, the patients received standardized questionnaires relative to their breathing difficulties and were also subjected to objective measures of respiratory function. The results showed that compared with the control group, the treatment group had better scores on their subjective questionnaire reporting fewer breathing problems, but the objective measure of respiratory function was no different between the groups.
Conclusions from the Study
The results of the randomized trial appeared to indicate that while the Papworth method helped ameliorate respiratory symptoms and adverse mood, as indicated by the subjective questionnaires, it did not affect objective measures of respiratory function, at least in the ways respiratory function was measured by the study. Researchers have indicated that more studies need to be done to confirm these results, as well as look at other possible patient groups that may be positively affected by this method, or whether there is any objective measure that could show the Papworth method improves lung function.
One additional note of caution about this study was that it was done with patients having only mild asthma symptoms which were well-controlled with medication. It is not known whether or not this method is appropriate for people with more severe symptoms.
References
- Integrated Breathing and Relaxation Training (the Papworth Method) for Adults with Asthma in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial
- Take a Deep Breath - It Could Help To Ease Your Asthma
- Papworth Method May Improve Respiratory Symptoms, Quality of Life in Asthma Patients
- Papworth Breathing Technique Cuts Asthma Symptoms by a Third
