s41598-022-27247-y.pdf (2.38 MB)
Download fileEffect of breathwork on stress and mental health: a meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 05:55 authored by Guy FinchamGuy Fincham, Jesus Montero-Marin, Clara StraussClara Strauss, Kate CavanaghKate CavanaghDeliberate control of the breath (breathwork) has recently received an unprecedented surge in public interest and breathing techniques have therapeutic potential to improve mental health. Our meta-analysis primarily aimed to evaluate the efficacy of breathwork through examining whether, and to what extent, breathwork interventions were associated with lower levels of self-reported/subjective stress compared to non-breathwork controls. We searched PsycInfo, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and ISRCTN up to February 2022, initially identifying 1325 results. The primary outcome self-reported/subjective stress included 12 randomised-controlled trials (k?=?12) with a total of 785 adult participants. Most studies were deemed as being at moderate risk of bias. The random-effects analysis yielded a significant small-to-medium mean effect size, g?=?- 0.35 [95% CI - 0.55, - 0.14], z?=?3.32, p?=?0.0009, showing breathwork was associated with lower levels of stress than control conditions. Heterogeneity was intermediate and approaching significance, ?211?=?19, p?=?0.06, I2?=?42%. Meta-analyses for secondary outcomes of self-reported/subjective anxiety (k?=?20) and depressive symptoms (k?=?18) showed similar significant effect sizes: g?=?- 0.32, p?
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Scientific ReportsISSN
2045-2322Publisher
Nature Publishing GroupExternal DOI
Volume
13Page range
e432 1-14Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes