The Effect of Yoga Breathing Exercises on Quality of Life in Children with Asthma

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a chronic disease in children that significantly impacts their quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of yoga breathing exercises on the quality of life of children with asthma. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 84 children with asthma aged 5 - 11 years old were selected and nonrandomly divided into the control group (n = 42) and the intervention group (n = 42). Both groups completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 (the PedsQL 3.0) Asthma Module. Then, the intervention group performed yoga breathing exercises twice a day for 2 months in addition to receiving medical treatment at home, while the control group only received medical treatment. After 2 months, both groups completed the PedsQL 3.0 Asthma Module for the second time. Results: The mean score and standard deviation for the quality of life before the intervention were 69 ± 13.6 in the intervention group and 72 ± 12.2 in the control group (P = 0.29). After the intervention, the mean score and standard deviation for quality of life were 79.4 ± 9.1 in the intervention group and 72.7 ± 11.1 in the control group (P < 0.003). Conclusions: Yoga breathing exercises improved the quality of life in children with asthma. Therefore, these exercises are recommended as a complementary therapy for pediatric asthma.