Researchers examine evidence for yoga as a complementary treatment for people with asthma

A team of researchers has looked at the results of different studies into the potential benefits of regular yoga sessions for people with asthma.

The analysis included 15 different studies, involving a total of 1,048 people, comparing the effects of practising yoga to either usual treatment with medication, with no treatment at all or with activities that seem like yoga but are not “real” yoga. .

Some improvements to quality of life and symptoms as a result of doing yoga were found in the research. However, weaknesses with the way some of the studies were carried out reduced the reviewers’ confidence in the results.

In light of these findings, the authors of the review have recommended that bigger and better-quality studies be organised in order to get a better picture of the effects of yoga on asthma, and even whether there might be negative side-effects.

The review was carried out by the Cochrane Collaboration, a highly-respected, independent network of experts that regularly looks at the evidence base for different aspects of healthcare and publishes reports of its findings to help people make decisions about their treatment.

Read the summary of the findings.