EFFECT OF YOGA BREATHING EXERCISE ON THE PULMONARY FUNCTION PARAMETER (PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE) AND SYMPTOM CONTROL OF CHILDREN WITH MODERATE PERSISTENT BRONCHIAL ASTHMA ATTENDING TERTIARY CARE CENTRE-A QUASI EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Objectives: The study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the effect of breathing exercise ( Alternate Nostril Breathing Exercise with deep breathing and controlled relaxation, pranayama a form of yoga breathing technique) on the pulmonary function parameter as well as symptom control of children with moderate persistent bronchial asthma.

Background: Childhood asthma is a chronic health condition that affects more than 1 million school-aged children and their families. Nonpharmacological therapy includes yoga breathing techniques such as Alternative Nostril Breathing techniques significantly reduces the stress and improves better asthma control in children with bronchial asthma.

Design &Methods: Quasi-Experimental, two group pretest- post-test design were adopted. Sixty children with moderate persistent bronchial asthma attending asthma clinic of tertiary care hospital were selected for the study. Simple random sampling  with a comparison group was used for selection of the sample. TREND checklist for quasi-experimental design used as guidelines for the current study.

Results: Breathing exercise  significantly changed the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate as evidenced by the significant change in the mean percentage of PEFR value from the predicted value in the experimental group. Comparison of mean percentage PEFR value from age wise predicted value in the experimental group showed that 69.5%/ 82.4% , t= 8.275, p= o.ooo (p< 0.05) and in the control group was 66.0%/ 66.2% , t= 1.326 , p = 0.195 ( p> 0.05). There was statistically significant change in asthma control parameters in the experimental group. Breathing exercise significantly improved the level of symptom control in the experimental group. No such significant improvement in Symptomcontrol was noted in the control group.(McNamer 0.000/ 0.063), (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the above findings, the present study concluded that breathing exercise has an effect on improving the pulmonary functions and symptom control of children with bronchial asthma.Relevance to clinical practice:The practice of yogabreathing exercises improves asthma symptoms and helps children to achieve better control over asthma along with pharmacological management.